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On Tuesday (July 9), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially appointed Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of Team India, marking the beginning of a new era. Gambhir took over from Rahul Dravid, who capped his tenure with a triumphant T20 World Cup victory on June 29. With many major ICC events lined up until the end of 2027, Indian cricket fans are eagerly looking forward to Gambhir’s leadership and vision.
A straight-talking legend: Gautam Gambhir
Gambhir, a former left-handed opener and two-time World Cup winner (T20 in 2007 and ODI in 2011), is renowned for his straightforwardness. He has always been vocal and unafraid to express his opinions, a trait that has earned him immense respect both on and off the field.
A recent viral video has reignited discussions about his forthright nature. In the video, an old clip, Gambhir was asked whether India should play against Pakistan. Without hesitation, he firmly stated that India should not, emphasizing that no cricket match or event is more important than the lives of Indian soldiers. He asserted that until terrorism sponsored by Pakistan ceases, there should be no cricketing ties between the two nations.
Here’s the video:
#ChampionsTrophy #BCCI
Reason why India is unlikely to travel to Pakistan for ICC champions trophy 2025Agree with Gautam Gambhir? pic.twitter.com/Qo1Ylj8Wn7
— theboysthing_ (@Theboysthing) July 11, 2024
Also WATCH: A video of Harbhajan Singh criticizing Pakistan resurfaces amidst Champions Trophy security concerns
Strong stance against playing Pakistan
Gambhir’s unwavering respect for soldiers and his firm stance on national security have always been evident. This viral video emerged amid reports that the BCCI is reluctant to send a team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025. According to ANI, BCCI sources have expressed concerns about sending a team to Pakistan.
BCCI’s position and PCB’s proposal
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed that India play all their matches in Lahore to minimize travel. However, the BCCI is considering a hybrid model similar to the one used in the Asia Cup last year. BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla stated that India would only travel to Pakistan if the Central Government grants permission. The last bilateral series between the two countries took place in 2012-13, and since then, they have only met in ICC events and the Asia Cup.
