In the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack on a CRPF convoy, the entire nation has taken a tough stand against Pakistan. The people of India have realised how the terror state by Pakistan has repeatedly carried out terror attacks in India. People from all walks of life have severely criticised Pakistan for its dastardly acts and nefarious designs and have also made it clear that India must end all ties with Pakistan.
This time around former Indian cricket skipper, Sourav Ganguly has taken a strong stance against Pakistan and he said, “Whatever happened in Pulwama last week was really sad…it is the worst possible thing that could ever happen. And, whatever reactions came from the people of India…was right. There is no chance of a bilateral series with Pakistan after this incident.” He strongly suggested that India should not only stop playing cricket, hockey or football with Pakistan but should also cut all ties with them. Sourav Ganguly also said, “I can also understand the sentiments of people asking India not to play Pakistan in the World Cup and I feel the government should take strong action on this issue. The after effect of this should be strong from India.”
It must be noted that the 2019 World Cup is around the corner. In the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, the people of India are constantly demanding that India boycotts Pakistan in all possible areas including cricket. It has been suggested that India should refuse to play Pakistan in the upcoming cricket World Cup. It has been reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to decide whether they will play against Pakistan in the ICC World Cup, 2019. In connection to the terror attack in Pulwama, when BCCI was asked about whether India will play against Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup, a senior BCCI official dodged the question and left it for Government of India and the International Cricket Council (ICC) to decide.
It must be kept in mind that this year the World Cup is going to be a 10-team event in which a team has to play every other team participating in the tournament. Sourav Ganguly said, “This is a 10-team World Cup and every team plays every team and I feel if India doesn’t play a match in the World Cup, it won’t be an issue.” He also said that it would be really difficult for the ICC to hold the World Cup without India. Sourav Ganguly has made it clear that a strong message should be sent to Pakistan.
Sourav Ganguly’s strong stance deserves to be applauded. The BCCI which has reportedly left it to the government to take a stand must take a cue from Ganguly’s tough stance against the ICC. The kind of influence that the BCCI enjoys in the cricketing world needs no emphasis. It is the richest cricket board in the world and the international sport is unimaginable without India. Cricket is treated almost religiously in India and the sheer revenue that India brings to this sport makes it next to impossible for the ICC to exclude India from the World Cup. The sport would simply lose its charm without India and ICC cannot manage India’s exclusion from the point of revenue as well. The BCCI must take a tough stance and use this situation to full effect. It can force the ICC to choose between Pakistan and India for the upcoming World Cup. In all probability, Pakistan will be left out given its insignificant status in world cricket. This will help India in properly boycotting Pakistan and the fact that Pakistan will be barred from playing the World Cup due to its terror activities will also leave it red-faced before the entire world. It is now upto the BCCI to take a tough stance before it is too late.
