India Vs Pakistan is one of the most intense cricketing rivalries not just because of the sporting history but because of their political history. The two countries have played some great matches in the past, and the fans want to see more of it. The latest one of them being in the Champions Trophy final earlier this year which the Pakistani team won quite convincingly.
With the increasing tensions at the border of the two nations, the two countries have stopped playing bilateral series against each other. The last time the two teams met in a bilateral series was the 2012-13 limited overs series. Pakistan won the ODI series 2-1, whereas the two-match T20 series was drawn 1-1.
Pakistan Cricket Board has been trying hard to arrange a bilateral series between the two nations, but the Indian board has been reluctant to play without any government clearance as it is well understood that a cricket match between the two nations is more than a sport for the country.
Former India captain, MS Dhoni who was a part of the Indian team to tour Pakistan in 2006 said on Sunday that the central government should have the final say on the two teams playing in a bilateral series. He said:
“When we talk about cricket, in most people’s opinion it is a sport, but when it comes to India and Pakistan series, it is much more than that. It is also a diplomatic and political decision.”
This statement has now been backed by current Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma:
“I think it is for the central government to decide if we should play against Pakistan or not, because there is a lot of tension on the border. Until Pakistan starts behaving well, we should not play against them.”
Sharma also praised Virat Kohli who scored his fifth double ton of his career in the second Test match against Sri Lanka at the NCA stadium in Nagpur:
“It’s a very proud moment. The way he has been playing for the last two years is really appreciable. It is his fifth double century and I am really proud of him.”