“No Difference If Pakistan Doesn’t Come to India”: Former Indian Cricketer’s Sarcastic Remarks

Mumbai: Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has once again intertwined politics with sports, describing the current situation in Pakistan as inappropriate for the country’s cricket team. In an interview with Sports Today, the former Indian spinner remarked that if Pakistan does not want to come to India, it does not matter to them. He added, “If Pakistan doesn’t come to India, it won’t make a huge difference. You can ask the current cricketers, and they would share the same opinion.”
Harbhajan also referenced the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, suggesting that things might have been different if the situation in Pakistan had been more stable at the time.
While India faces its own internal challenges, including separatist movements in states like Manipur and Mizoram, as well as recent communal riots in Sambhal resulting in the deaths of six Muslims, Harbhajan remained silent on these matters. His attention seemed focused solely on Pakistan’s inability to send its team to India for the ongoing disputes.
Reflecting on his own experience, Harbhajan fondly remembered his visit to Pakistan, where he was warmly received. “When I went to Pakistan, we were treated wonderfully; when we went to the markets, they wouldn’t let us pay for food, and they gave us gifts,” he shared.
The former cricketer expressed regret that Pakistani fans were unable to see Indian stars like Virat Kohli live, but emphasized that at present, India could not send its team to Pakistan.
Regarding the ongoing dispute between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over hosting rights for the Champions Trophy, Harbhajan advised Pakistan not to focus on the issue. He sarcastically said, “You can’t stop a tournament just because of stubbornness. There are many other countries ready to host the event.”
The disagreement over the Champions Trophy hosting continues, with Pakistan suggesting a hybrid model for ICC events until 2031, as they may not be able to send a team to India due to government restrictions. However, neither the ICC nor the BCCI has provided any assurances regarding this matter.