Sourav Ganguly Calls for Complete Severing of India-Pakistan Cricketing Ties
Former Indian cricket captain and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has taken a firm stance on India-Pakistan cricketing relations, calling for a total severing of cricketing ties with Pakistan in the aftermath of the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed 26 lives. Ganguly, speaking to journalists in Kolkata, emphasized the need for "strict action," stating, "100 per cent, this (breaking ties with Pakistan) should be done. Strict action is necessary. It is no joke that such things happen every year. Terrorism cannot be tolerated".
Ganguly's remarks reflect the growing sentiment in India for a tough response to recurring cross-border terrorism. He highlighted that despite sharing one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries, India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13, with encounters now limited to ICC and Asia Cup tournaments. India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, and recent ICC events have seen India refuse to play in Pakistan, instead participating under a hybrid model with matches relocated to neutral venues like Dubai.
The Indian government has also responded to the Pahalgam attack with a series of diplomatic measures, including closing the Integrated Check Post at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals, and scaling down diplomatic staff in both countries. Ganguly’s call underscores the intersection of sports and geopolitics, as cricketing ties remain hostage to broader political tensions between the two nations.