Sunil Gavaskar's recent comments about the future of India and Pakistan playing in ICC tournaments come amid rising bilateral tensions between the two countries. While acknowledging the current situation, he stated it is too early to predict whether the two teams will continue meeting in ICC events, particularly with the men’s T20 World Cup more than six months away. Gavaskar highlighted that if the match were next week, India and Pakistan might not play, but the situation could evolve as the event draws closer.
His remarks follow a string of recent developments, including the tragic Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives and sparked further political tension. Gavaskar had earlier suggested that Pakistan could potentially be removed from the Asia Cup this year in light of the attack, and even raised the possibility of India severing all sporting ties with Pakistan. The current state of affairs has seen both countries engaging only in ICC and Asian Cricket Council-hosted events, with the last bilateral series dating back to the 2012-13 season.
Regarding the safety concerns arising from the escalating tensions, Gavaskar reassured that there has been no negative impact on the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). He explained that foreign players and commentators feel safe in India despite the increased security situation, emphasizing faith in the country's armed forces. While acknowledging the possibility of security drills taking place during evening matches, Gavaskar maintained that the IPL would proceed without disruption.
His comments also come amidst recent tensions at the Line of Control (LoC), with unprovoked firing by Pakistan and military drills conducted by India. This backdrop of heightened tensions complicates the future of cricketing encounters between the two nations, leaving many questions unanswered about when or if they will meet again on the field.
