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The historic rivalry between India and Pakistan extends far beyond the boundaries of the cricket field. The passion and intensity that this rivalry brings are unmatched, often transcending the spirit of sportsmanship. However, the recently concluded ODI World Cup 2023 witnessed a surge in negativity as fans from both sides engaged in heated online debates and celebrated each other’s defeats, even against other teams.
In the midst of this, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has stepped forward to criticize the toxic attitude of fans, urging for a change in mindset.
Negativity beyond boundaries
It is worth mentioning that the fervour of the India-Pakistan rivalry reached new heights during the ODI World Cup 2023. While Indian fans celebrated Pakistan’s exit from the tournament, Pakistan supporters took it a step further by trolling India after their loss in the final against Australia. The online space became a breeding ground for hostility, with fans seemingly finding joy in the misfortunes of the opposing team.
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Gautam Gambhir schools the trolls and calls for a change
In response to the escalating negativity, India’s former cricketer Gambhir came forward with a strong message. He emphasized the senselessness of celebrating someone else’s defeat and called for a shift in attitude. Speaking to Sportskeeda, Gambhir expressed his concern about the growing trend of deriving pleasure from the pain of others.
“It is senseless to celebrate someone else’s defeat. When Pakistan lose, Indian fans enjoy it, and it is the same in Pakistan when India fails to win a contest. This is a negative attitude. It is time to change this mindset. People have started doing such things for the sake of social media. Find joy in your success and not in the pain of others,” asserted Gambhir.
Gambhir’s blunt advice and ICC T20 World Cup 2024 reference
Gambhir also envisioned a scenario where India and Pakistan might face each other in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and acknowledged the potential for intense competition, emphasizing the need for fans to refrain from celebrating if either team faces a defeat against any other cricketing nation.
“India and Pakistan will compete against each other in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, and they might also qualify for the final. It shouldn’t be the case that supporters in India are in celebration mode if Pakistan lose against a team, or Pakistan fans go on a celebration spree if India fails,” the Delhi-born cricketer emphasized.
