The tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, South Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which killed over 26 tourists, has sparked outrage across India. Former cricketer Shreevats Goswami, in an emotional X post, urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to permanently cease cricketing ties with Pakistan, citing alleged links to the attack, which Pakistan denies. Goswami criticized those who argue sports should transcend politics, notably after India refused to participate in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
In his impassioned post, Goswami condemned the attack, stating, “Cricket with Pakistan must stop—now and forever. When India opted out of the Champions Trophy, some claimed sports should ignore politics. But when innocent lives get lost, then that is the real game. “We must respond in strength, dignity and zero compromises, not with crickets.” The argument reflects maddening frustration over recurring violence, suggesting a national response that calls for action rather than sports gestures.
Associated variables of the region affect Goswami’s response. Visiting Pahalgam during the Legends League, he found a strange sense of restored peace. “I walked those paths, met locals, and saw hope in their eyes. What violence now does is shatter that. How long will we keep silent and acting ”sporting” when our people suffer?” he wrote, shedding tears over such a loss of fragile stability.
The BCCI has maintained a no-bilateral-series policy with Pakistan since 2012-13, per government directives, limiting encounters to ICC tournaments. BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla condemned the attack, affirming solidarity with victims and adherence to government policy. During IPL 2025’s2025’s Match 41, players observed a minute’s silence and wore black armbands, honouring the victims. Goswami’s call, echoed by some fans on X, pushes for a total cricketing boycott, arguing that national honour outweighs games.
The attack, attributed to The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot, has reignited debates over India-Pakistan sports ties. At the same time, cricket has historically been a diplomatic bridge; incidents like Pahalgam fuel arguments for severance. Goswami’s plea underscores the emotional weight of such tragedies, questioning the place of sports amidst unresolved tensions. As India grapples with grief, the debate over cricket’s role in bilateral relations continues to divide opinions, balancing national sentiment with global sporting ideals.