When it comes to India and Pakistan, sports and politics always go hand-in-hand. The much-awaited World Cup clash between the two arch-rivals is little under four months away but there is already a shadow of doubt on the game in Manchester on June 16. Ever since the cowardly terrorist attack in Pulwama where 40 of CRPF Jawans had to sacrifice their lives last week, emotions of the Indian people are running high.
The India team may have its reasons to play or not to play the marquee game against Pakistan, but as of today, the players share the same sentiments as their fellow countrymen. Recently, the Indian leggie Yuzvendra Chahal isn’t sure for now that the game will be played or not but he expressed that a strict call needs to be taken and a befitting reply to Pakistan for the thousands and lakhs of lives that have been lost due to cross border terrorism.
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Recently during a chat with India Today, Chahal said, “The decision to play the World Cup match against Pakistan has to be taken by the BCCI and the government. One or two players cannot decide but I think it is high time and we need to take strong action against the perpetrators of terrorism.”
The frustration and anger were evident in Chahal’s voice even as his immediate goal would be the home series against Australia which begins with two T20Is on February 24.
Chahal further elaborated, “This should settle once and for all. We can’t tolerate it any longer. Every three months we get to hear about our jawans losing their lives to terrorism and we can’t keep waiting for things to happen. We have to make things happen and we should settle this face to face, even if that means aar paar ki ladaai (fight on the battlefield).”
Legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh also expressed great anguish over Pakistan’s lack of intent in stopping terrorist attacks. He said India should boycott the World Cup game against Pakistan following the Pulwama attacks and Pakistan’s repeated attempts to disrupt peace in India.
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Chahal’s statement has come a day after Pakistan decided not to send their shooters to participate in the ISSF Shooting World Cup, scheduled to be held in India from Wednesday.
