The former World Cup-winning Indian captain Kapil Dev strongly believes that India shouldn’t boycott their upcoming World Cup match against Pakistan.
In the wake of Pulwama terror attack, where more than 40 Indian soldiers lost their lives, many Indians have asked to boycott Pakistan match in the upcoming World Cup. England and Wales will host the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup from 30 May to 14 July. According to the World Cup schedule, India and Pakistan will meet on 16 June at Old Trafford (Manchester).
However, many Indians have opposed this high-profile match to protest against the Pulwama terror attack. Some former and senior most Indian cricketers have also given the same opinion to boycott that game. Harbhajan Singh and Sourav Ganguly are some of those cricketers who support to boycott the Pakistan match in the upcoming World Cup.
On the other hand, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar etc. are some of those cricketers who don’t want to give up any points easily to Pakistan. While India has the best World Cup record against Pakistan, they believe that India must play that game and earn two points.
Now, Kapil Dev has given his opinion on this matter. The 1983 World Cup-winning captain believes that the international event shouldn’t boycott for any political reason.
Kapil Dev told ABP NEWS Shikhar Sammelan 2019, “World Cup is not about India-Pakistan relations only. It is an international event and we should not talk about boycotting an international event because of Pakistan’s PM or anything else.
“We are ready to do everything. Then no one speaks of a boycott but why single out cricket or sport every time?”
Sportspersons should never be asked not to play
The Indian cricket family has divided in their opinions to play or not to play against Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup. Kapil Dev feels that it is their personal opinion, but a cricketer should not indulge in any political comments.
He added, “It is their personal opinion. I have nothing to say on this and I believe, a cricketer should not indulge in any political comments. Sachin, Sourav are like my brothers, so I won’t be able to take sides.
“Sportspersons should never be asked not to play. Being a cricketer myself, I know how that might feel. Playing is the only thing we know and that’s what it should be.”
ICC should take a call on whether to ban Pakistan or not
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hasn’t taken their final decision yet on this matter. Meanwhile, the SC-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) chief Vinod Rai believes that the BCCI should write a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ban Pakistan from the upcoming World Cup.
Talking about these matters, Kapil Dev said, “I don’t hold any position to make an official comment on the issue. We all should accept what the Indian government and BCCI decides.
“ICC should take a call on whether to ban Pakistan or not. I would only say that cricket should not be hampered in any way.”
India will begin their World Cup journey on 5 June against South Africa at Southampton. The Indian national cricket team have won the tournament twice.