Sunil Gavaskar’s Blunt Take On Security Drill Amid India-Pakistan Tensions Post Pahalgam Attack: “Feeling…”

Relations between India and Pakistan took a turn for the worst after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The growing political tensions have once again put cricket relations between the two countries under the scanner and it is not clear at the moment if they will be played in international competitions. India and Pakistan have not played as a bilateral series for almost a decade and a number of former Indian cricket players have also insisted on a complete boycott as a result of the attacks. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MHA) recently ordered the governments of the States to carry out exercises in order to be ready for any type of attack. However, India’s former skipper, Sunil Gavaskar, believes that the exercises will have no impact on the current Indian League (IPL) and added that there is no need to worry at all.

“Until something happens, I don’t think it has an impact on IPL. Yes, in the evening, when the match is played, there will of course be, there may be the exercise of lights in the city. Then, I think it could be a little worrying,” Gavaskar told Sports Today.

“But for the moment, I do not see the exercise really affecting the IPL. I think, look, everyone here in India feels really safe. There is no need to worry. I mean, we have the greatest faith in our armed forces, and we have so much love and affection for them,” he added.

Earlier, several former Pakistani cricket players, led by the legendary Javed Miandad, expressed a deep disappointment in the face of recent comments from the Indian cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar concerning Pakistan’s participation in the next Asian Cup.

Gavaskar, addressing an information chain, said that, given the current political climate, it was very unlikely that Pakistan participating in the tournament, co-organized by India and Sri Lanka. He noted that the BCCI traditionally follows the directives of the Indian government, suggesting that political tensions could prevent Pakistan’s inclusion in the event.

The tensions between the two nations broke out following a deadly attack on tourists in cashmere, which left 26 dead. India has accused Pakistan of supporting terrorists, to suspend the long -standing treaty of the Indus and to refer to broader reprisals.

Reacting to Gavaskar’s comments, Miandad expressed disbelief. “I cannot believe that Sunny Bhai said that,” he told TeleComasia.net, recalling their longtime camaraderie on and off the field. “It is a respectful and earth-to-terre person who has always remained away from politics.”

Former Spinner Iqbal Qasim echoed the feeling, affirming that he initially thought that the declaration had been misused. “Gavaskar is a responsible figure loved on both sides of the border. Politics should not mix with sports,” he said.

(With PTI entries)