Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has strongly opposed any cricket against Pakistan until the border disputes are resolved between the two nations. Gambhir reckons nothing matters more than the lives of their army men and people but ultimately said the decision will come down to the government.
The recent terror attack in Pahalgam has shaken India as it resulted in 26 people losing their lives with a few gunmen shooting the tourists. With Pakistan's militant groups allegedly behind the attack, the Indian government has taken some strict measures against the country, escalating tensions between them in recent weeks.
When asked whether India-Pakistan games should happen in the future, the 43-year-old strongly rejected it. The former opener said Bollywood movies and cricket matches will keep happening but nothing comes above the safety of their own people. He told ABP News:
"My answer to this is absolutely no, there's my personal answer. Ultimately, it's the government decision whether we play Pakistan or not. Par main aaj bhi bol raha hoon aur kahi saal pehle bhi yeh baat boli thi koi cricket match, koi bollywood movie, koi artist, kisi bhi tarah ki interaction hamaare desh ki logon se zyaada mahatvapoorn nahin hai. Hamaare jawaanon ki or logon ki zindagi se zyaada kuch aur important nahin hai. Matches hoti rahegi, movies banti rahegi, singers gaate rahenge. Lekin ek parivar ka vyakti jo khoya hota hai, usse badi na kabhi koi cheez hogi na honi chahiye. Yeh mera personal opinion hai. Till all this stops, there should be no interaction between India and Pakistan."
(My personal answer to this is absolutely no. Till all this (cross-border terrorism) doesn’t stop there should not be anything between India and Pakistan. Ultimately, this is the government’s call whether we play them or not. I have said this before also, no cricket match or Bollywood or any other interaction is more important than the life of Indian soldiers and Indian citizens. Matches will keep happening, movies will be made, singers will continue to perform, but nothing comes close to losing a loved one in your family.)
