Pahalgam Terror Attack: In the wake of the horrifying terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, former Indian cricket captain and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has made a bold and firm demand: India must completely sever cricketing ties with Pakistan — across all tournaments, not just bilateral series.
Speaking to reporters after the attack that left 26 innocent lives lost and many more injured, Ganguly expressed outrage and grief, insisting that “terrorism cannot be tolerated” and that strict action must be taken against continued normalization of ties with Pakistan in any form, including on the cricket field.
Pahalgam Terror Attack : Sourav Ganguly Calls for Total Cricketing Boycott of Pakistan After Pahalgam Terror Attack
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What Sourav Ganguly Said About India-Pakistan Cricket Relations
Ganguly, who played 65 international matches against Pakistan during his illustrious career, minced no words:
“100 per cent, India should do this (break ties with Pakistan). Strict action should be taken. It has turned out to be a joke that such things are happening every year. Terrorism cannot be tolerated,” he declared.
Ganguly emphasized that India should not even face Pakistan in ICC or ACC tournaments, taking a much stronger position than what has traditionally been followed, where India avoids bilateral series but plays Pakistan in multilateral events due to tournament structures.
Why Sourav Ganguly’s Comments Matter Now
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13, due to tense political relations. Matches between the two arch-rivals have been limited to ICC tournaments like the World Cup or Asian Cricket Council events.
However, the Pahalgam terror attack — claimed by Pakistan-backed group The Resistance Front (TRF), an affiliate of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) — has reignited the debate over whether sporting ties should continue at all.
Adding weight to Ganguly’s call, Indian broadcasters have already suspended the telecast of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 matches in protest.
Strong Reactions Across India: Cricket, Politics, and Beyond
BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla also reiterated India’s firm stance, highlighting that no bilateral cricket is possible unless political ties improve:
“We don’t play with Pakistan in bilateral series because of the government’s stand. And we will not play with Pakistan in bilaterals going forward,” Shukla said, while clarifying that ICC events still involve India-Pakistan matches due to tournament obligations.
Moreover, India has already refused to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, opting instead to play all matches at neutral venues like Dubai.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking from Bihar, also delivered a powerful message:
“India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers. Terrorism will not go unpunished. The entire nation is firm in this resolve,” PM Modi said, vowing relentless pursuit of justice.
The Pahalgam Attack: A National Tragedy
On April 22, five to six terrorists opened fire on tourists at the serene Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, turning a popular tourist destination into a site of horror. The brutal attack has united the nation in grief and fury.
It’s against this backdrop that voices like Ganguly’s have struck a deep chord across India — not just in the sporting fraternity but among millions who see cricket as more than just a game when national pride and security are at stake.
Will India-Pakistan Matches Finally End Completely?
While the BCCI and ICC dynamics are complex, public sentiment is increasingly clear — many Indians want a complete boycott. Sourav Ganguly’s call reflects a growing demand for tougher action, sending a message that terrorism cannot be met with business as usual.
The next few months will be crucial as the BCCI, ICC, and Indian government decide how to handle future cricket tournaments involving Pakistan.
Key Highlights
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Terror Attack | April 22, Pahalgam, Kashmir (26 dead, many injured) |
| Responsibility Claimed By | The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to LeT |
| Sourav Ganguly’s Statement | Complete cricket boycott, including ICC events |
| BCCI’s Current Policy | No bilateral series; ICC matches continue due to agreements |
| 2025 Champions Trophy | India refuses to travel to Pakistan; matches to be played in Dubai |
ourav Ganguly’s demand for a total cricket boycott with Pakistan comes from a place of deep national concern.
At a time when terrorism threatens peace, India’s stand on sporting ties sends a global message about zero tolerance.
As the wounds of Pahalgam’s tragedy are still raw, the cricketing world, too, must decide: can the spirit of the game survive without justice and accountability?
India — through voices like Ganguly’s — seems ready to draw that line.
FAQs
What did Sourav Ganguly say about cricket with Pakistan?
He called for a complete boycott of cricket with Pakistan, including ICC tournaments.
When was the last India-Pakistan bilateral series?
The last bilateral series was in 2012-13.
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