Sourav Ganguly Demands India Sever All Cricket Ties with Pakistan After Pahalgam Terror Attack

Sourav Ganguly Calls for Complete Ban on India-Pakistan Cricket After Pahalgam Terror Attack

In a hard-hitting statement, former Indian cricket captain and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has called for India to sever all cricketing ties with Pakistan following the recent Pahalgam terror attack that killed several innocent civilians. The cricket legend’s strong stance has reignited debates about sports diplomacy amid ongoing cross-border tensions. Speaking to reporters in Kolkata, Ganguly made his position clear:
“There should be a complete stop to all cricket between India and Pakistan. We shouldn’t be playing any bilateral series or even meet in ICC tournaments unless terrorism stops completely.”

The former Indian skipper emphasized that sports cannot be separated from geopolitics when innocent lives are being lost. His comments come just weeks before the Asia Cup 2023, where India and Pakistan are scheduled to face each other.

The brutal terror attack in Pahalgam (July 15, 2023) saw militants target innocent pilgrims and tourists in Jammu & Kashmir’s popular hill station. Key details:

• Location: Pahalgam, Anantnag district

• Casualties: 9 killed, 33 injured

• Responsibility: Pakistan-based terror group LeT claimed responsibility

This was the deadliest attack in the region since the 2019 Pulwama incident that had previously led to suspension of bilateral cricket.

The cricketing relationship between the neighbors has always been fragile

Timeline of Key Events

• 2008 Mumbai Attacks: Bilateral series suspended for 5 years

• 2012-13: Limited overs series resumed briefly

• 2016 Uri Attack: India boycotted Pakistan in ICC events

• 2019 Pulwama: All ties suspended indefinitely

• 2021 T20 WC: Only ICC tournament matches permitted

Ganguly’s statement has drawn varied responses from players like Sunil Gavaskar: “Sports and terrorism cannot coexist”, Virender Sehwag: “100% agree with Dada – nation comes first” and many current Players: Many anonymously supporting the stance. While Opposing Views from Shahid Afridi: “Cricket builds bridges, shouldn’t be stopped”, Ramiz Raja: “Politicizing sports hurts the game” and others like ICC Officials: “Prefer keeping politics out of cricket” came like this.

Immediate Consequences

1. Asia Cup 2023 (August-Sept)

   • Scheduled India-Pak match on Sept 2

   • BCCI considering boycott

2. ODI World Cup 2023 (Oct-Nov)

   • Potential forfeiture of points

   • ICC’s dilemma on neutral venue

3. Future Bilateral Series

   • No planned tours till 2027

   • IPL’s Pakistan player ban continues

Several leaders have endorsed the cricket legend’s position

• Home Minister Amit Shah: “Sports can wait, security comes first”

• J&K LG Manoj Sinha: “Applaud Ganguly’s patriotism”

• Opposition Leaders: Cross-party support for the stance

Sourav Ganguly’s bold statement has forced the cricket world to confront difficult questions about where sportsmanship ends and national security begins. As India mourns the Pahalgam victims, the nation must decide whether the cricket field can remain isolated from the battlefield. The coming weeks will reveal whether Ganguly’s demand becomes policy or if cricket diplomacy will find a way to prevail despite the tragedy. One thing is clear – the debate has moved beyond boundary lines into the realm of national conscience.