Ravi Shastri opens up on playing against Pakistan: The Indian Head Coach was recently vocal about the much-talked about issue.
Post last week’s unfortunate Pulwama attacks, there have been widespread calls against India playing Pakistan in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. The matter has been discussed in the country to an extent that it has enticed a huge debate.
While some former cricketers or eminent personalities have spoken against India playing Pakistan in the World Cup, the others in legendary names such as Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Sachin Tendulkar believe that India should play the match and win it rather than not participating in it.
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Speaking to the media during the pre-series (against Australia) press conference at Visakhapatnam, even India captain Virat Kohli was asked the same question. Clearing the Indian team’s stance, the skipper mentioned that the team will do whatever the BCCI will decide.
“It’s entirely left to the BCCI”
In a recent interview with Mirror Now, India Head Coach Ravi Shastri expressed a similar opinion when asked about India’s playing against Pakistan. The 56-year old also added that he is comfortable if the government asks for the team to not play the World Cup at all.
Our stand is simple on playing Pak. We will go by what the nation and what the BCCI think and decide: Virat Kohli
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“It’s entirely left to the BCCI and the government. They know exactly what is happening and they will take a call. We will go by what they decide. If the government says it’s that sensitive you do not need to play the World Cup, I will go by my government,” Shastri was quoted as saying.
Currently, the team is preparing for the first T20I to be played against Australia tomorrow. The two-match T20I series followed by a five-match ODI series will be India’s last international assignment before the world event which will start on May 30.
