Day 519

 These days, my posts are politics oriented posts. Well, I haven’t written in much depth. Today, I’m not going to write on politics. Today, the topic is cricket. Well, Asia Cup has started. Indeed, India and Pakistan are playing in this series. But now, a debate has started in India. After Operation Sindoor, it was a clear statement by the BCCI that there will be no cricket match between India and Pakistan. Now BCCI has issued a statement that Asia Cup is a multinational tournament and we can’t boycott this otherwise it will bring negativity for all our future endeavours of hosting the multinational tournaments in the country.

 

According to the Secretary of BCCI, Devajit Saikia, Asia Cup is a multinational event like Olympics, FIFA tournament.  If we boycott the Asia cup then it affect in getting the hosting rights of the games like Commonwealth Games or FIFA games or any other games. Well, this statement has started a fresh debate in India. But, the majority of Indians differs in view with Devajit Saikia. The people still have the Pahalgam incidence fresh in their memory. Indians still have objection of stopping Operation Sindoor so soon. It has just started when the ceasefire was called off. The time has gone that Indian soldiers were getting killed at borders and cricket matches were held between India and Pakistan at neutral venues.

 

Well, I haven’t watched the match between India and Pakistan. I’m a die-hard fan of Indian cricket team and never miss any international match. I watch the entire game from beginning till last. Actually, I wasn’t in mood to watch this match because I didn’t felt it right to watch the match between India and Pakistan because Pakistan never stops terrorists attacks on India. So, I felt boycotting the match can make a difference to BCCI. Boycotting to view the match is the better option. At least, I think that viewers aren’t helpless like BCCI like you have to do it whether you like it or not. But the news which I’m getting after the match is really giving me pleasure.

    There wasn’t handshake by Surya Kumar Yadav, the Indian captain, with his Pakistani counter part after toss. India won the match by smashing a six in the end. Then also there wasn’t any handshake between the Indian and Pakistani players. The entire Indian cricket team locked itself in its dressing room. There wasn’t customary handshake at post-match ceremony by Surya Kumar Yadav with the Pakistani captain. I think these moves by the Indian team and its management is really appreciable. Playing the match maybe under compulsion but handshakes can’t be under compulsion.

 

    I think that if we are engaged with Pakistan on political, diplomatic and economic front, then why can’t we boycott Pakistan on game field. Its just not about cricket. I’m talking about football, hockey, wrestling and other sports. Rivalry between India and Pakistan had been always a USP for any sports event organiser. So, I think time has come to take some harsh steps on this front also.