BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla has confirmed that India will not play any bilateral cricket series with Pakistan. This decision comes after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series in 2012-13 when Pakistan visited India. The Indian team has not toured Pakistan since 2008.
Bilateral Matches Suspended, Only ICC Events Will Continue
India and Pakistan now only face each other in international events like the World Cup or Asia Cup. In 2023, Pakistan came to India for the ODI World Cup. However, India chose not to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. Instead, matches involving India, including their game against Pakistan and the final, will be held in Dubai.
Rajeev Shukla Explains India’s Stand on Bilateral Cricket
Rajeev Shukla spoke clearly about the government’s position. He said India will follow what the government decides. “We do not play Pakistan in bilateral series due to our government’s stand. We will continue to follow that policy,” he told Sports Tak. However, he explained that India plays Pakistan in ICC events because those are international commitments.
BCCI Secretary Shares Grief Over Terror Attack
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia expressed deep sorrow for the lives lost in the Pahalgam attack. He called it a shocking and tragic incident. “We strongly condemn this cowardly act. We send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the departed souls,” he said. He added that the cricket community stands united with the affected families.
IPL Match Pays Tribute to Victims of Pahalgam Attack
The Indian Premier League (IPL) also paid respect to the victims. During match number 41 between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, a moment of silence was held. This tribute took place before the match started and was announced to everyone present.
Players and Teams Show Respect During IPL Match
The tribute was not just for those in the stadium. It was also seen by viewers at home. Players from both teams wore black armbands. The team captains gave messages of condolence during the toss. Commentators also spoke about the emotional moment and the importance of remembering the victims.
BCCI Removes Celebrations from the Match as a Mark of Respect
In a respectful move, BCCI chose to hold the match without any celebrations. There were no cheerleaders, music, fireworks, or DJ performances. This helped keep the mood serious and dignified as a way to honour the victims.
