Follow UsAmidst all the political tension between India and Pakistan, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has delivered his verdict on the rivalry, stating that it is an ‘ABSOLUTE NO’. The two are set to face each other in the 2026 T20 World Cup at a neutral venue, but there’s no certainty over that marquee fixture as well.
"My personal answer to this is absolutely no. Till all this (terrorism) doesn't stop, there should not be anything between India and Pakistan," Gambhir said at an ABP event, reported ESPNCricinfo.
The political tension between the two countries intensified on April 22, after an attack in Pahalgam, where 26 people became casualties. The two countries, since then, have been at the height of political tension, with the two sides not having faced each other in a bilateral series since January 2013.
"Ultimately, this is government's decision whether we play them or not," Gambhir said. "I have said this before also, no cricket match or Bollywood or any other interaction is more important than the life of Indian soldiers and Indian citizens. Matches will keep happening, movies will be made, singers will continue to perform, but nothing comes close to losing a loved one in your family.
"This is not up to me, it's not in my jurisdiction, this is for BCCI and more importantly, the government to decide whether we should play them or not," Gambhir said when asked if he would present his position to the BCCI. "Whatever decision they make, we should be absolutely fine with it and not politicise it."