The Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has finally commented his thoughts regarding the controversy surrounding the India-Pakistan match at the ICC World Cup 2019. The arch-rivals are scheduled to locks horns with each other on June 16 at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Shastri clarified that the team will accept the decision which will be taken by the BCCI and the government. As per the quotes in Times Now, he said, “It’s entirely left to the BCCI and the government. They know exactly what is happening and they will take a call. We will go by what they decide. If the government says it’s that sensitive you do not need to play the World Cup, I will go by my government.”
Ever since the Pulwama terror attack which led to more than 40 CRPF troopers losing their lives in the Jammu and Kashmir region, the cricket fraternity has been divided on whether India should face Pakistan at the showpiece event or not.
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Former Indian cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar said that they would hate to see India concede two points to Pakistan by not playing. Some players like Harbhajan Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal have called for a complete boycott.
In his statement, Tendulkar said, “India has always come up trumps against Pakistan in the World Cup. Time to beat them once again. Would personally hate to give them two points and help them in the tournament. Having said that for me India always comes first, so whatever my country decides, I will back that decision with all my heart.”
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On the other hand, talking to India Today, Gavaskar said, “Who wins if India decides against playing Pakistan in the World Cup? And I am not even talking about the semis and the finals. Who wins? Pakistan wins because they get two points. India has so far beaten Pakistan every time in a World Cup, so we are actually conceding two points when by beating Pakistan, we could make sure that they don’t advance in the competition.”
