The debate surrounding whether India should play Pakistan in the upcoming 2019 World Cup has become a never-ending topic with some of the top cricketers giving their take on the issue. The debate started after at least 40 CRPF soldiers were martyred in a ghastly terror attack as a suicide bomber identified as Adil Ahmed Dar of the terrorist group - Jaish-e-Mohammed – rammed an SUV full of explosives into the bus carrying the soldiers on the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Now, former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly has given his take on whether India should keep any sporting ties with Pakistan after the dastardly attack.
Ganguly has said that what happened in Pulwama is the worst possible thing that could ever happen. India’s former skipper further stated that there is no chance of any bilateral series between two nations after the incident. Ganguly further added that India should not only stop playing cricket, football or hockey but should cut all ties with them.
"Whatever happened in Pulwama last week was really sad...it is the worst possible thing that could ever happen. And, whatever reactions came from the people of India...was right. There is no chance of a bilateral series with Pakistan after this incident," Ganguly said on IndiaTV's "Cricket Ki Baat" show.
"I can also understand the sentiments of people asking India not to play Pakistan in the World Cup and I feel the government should take strong action on this issue. The aftereffect of this should be strong from India. I agree that after this attack, India should not only stop playing cricket, hockey or football with Pakistan but should cut all ties with them " Ganguly added.
The former Indian skipper said that India need to send a strong message to Pakistan from every angle and added that ICC can’t start a World Cup without India and it would be interesting to see whether India have the power to stop ICC from doing such a thing.
"I agree that India should stop relations with Pakistan and we need to send a strong message to them. We should take strong action from every angle by the government and we should do this by taking into consideration the sentiments of the nation.
"ICC can't go on with a World Cup without India and I feel it will be really difficult for ICC to go on with a World Cup without India. But, you also have to see if India have the power to stop ICC from doing such a thing. But, I feel a strong message should be sent," Ganguly said.
India are scheduled to play Pakistan in a round-robin match on June 16, but if Team India decides to boycott the match then it would mean that the Green Army will have easy two points from the fixture.
Meanwhile, India are gearing up to play two T20Is and five ODIs against Australia, starting from February 24 onwards. The limited-overs series against Australia would be the last one for the Men in Blue as their preparations for the upcoming 2019 World Cup continue.