Gautam Gambhir Urges Complete Cricket Boycott of Pakistan Following Pahalgam Terror Attack

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has called for a complete suspension of cricketing ties with Pakistan in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, Gambhir stated his personal stance, asserting that "no matches should be played against Pakistan, not even at neutral venues, until terrorism ends."

The deadly April 22 attack has triggered strong diplomatic and economic responses from India, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari border, and downgrading of diplomatic ties with Pakistan.

“No cricket match, film, or cultural exchange is more important than the life of an Indian citizen or soldier,” said Gambhir, emphasizing national security over sporting ties.

Gambhir clarified that while he has expressed his opinion, the final decision rests with the Indian government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series for over a decade, with encounters limited to multilateral tournaments such as the Asia Cup and ICC events. Their last meeting was during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

When asked about the future of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Gambhir said, “As coach, my responsibility is team selection for matches, not the squad overall. As long as a player is performing, age shouldn’t matter — whether it’s 40 or even 45.”