“Cricket is a very small thing and life of our soldiers is more important” – Gautam Gambhir on India-Pakistan cricket matches
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Gautam Gambhir
Former India opener and BJP MP Gautam Gambhir on Friday said that there should not be any relation with Pakistan till cross-border terrorism gets over. Global terror financing watchdog, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Thursday retained Pakistan on its “grey list” till June after concluding that Islamabad failed to address its strategically important deficiencies, to fully implement the 27-point action plan that the watchdog had drawn up for Pakistan.
“Till the time cross-border terrorism does not get over, I don’t think there should be any kind of relationship with Pakistan because the life of our soldiers is more important than anything,” Gambhir told ANI. When asked about the Indo-Pak Cricket ties, Gambhir reiterated that the “life of our soldiers is more important” and said: “Cricket is a very small thing and the life of our soldiers is more important. So, till the time cross-border terrorism does not get over, there should not be any relationship with Pakistan.”
Gautam Gambhir gives his verdict on Indo-Pak ties
Gambhir, the national icon who was handpicked by the BJP in Delhi in the 2019 parliamentary elections, argued that Indian cricketers get paid handsomely for playing for the country but soldiers defend the nation selflessly.
“I haven’t done any favour to anyone by playing and winning for the country. But look at someone who is defending us on Siachen or Pakistan border, risking his life for a small amount of money. They are the greatest heroes of our country.” As a child, Gambhir wanted to join the Indian Army but after playing the prestigious Ranji trophy while he was still in school, he was persuaded by his parents to play for India at the international level. “It was another way of standing up for the country. So I agreed,” Gambhir, who now represents the East Delhi constituency in Lok Sabha, recalled.
Riding on brilliant spells of spin bowling from Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin, India registered a comprehensive 10-wicket win over England in the pink-ball Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday to go 2-1 up in the four-match series. When asked about the Motera pitch, Gambhir said: “It is a matter for ICC to look into. I do not want to comment on that. I think England batsmen should look at their techniques.”
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