BCCI Big Call After Pahalgam Attack , India Won’t Play Pakistan in Bilateral Series
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made its stance clear once again — there will be no bilateral cricketing ties with Pakistan in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. With the nation mourning the loss of innocent lives, the BCCI not only condemned the attack in the strongest terms but also paid an emotional tribute during IPL 2025.
Let’s look into the complete story and what it means for cricketing relations between India and Pakistan.
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1. What Happened in Pahalgam?
On April 20, 2025, a horrifying terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, shook the nation. Several innocent civilians lost their lives, leaving the country in a state of mourning. As this tragic incident unfolded, it once again raised questions about cross-border terrorism and its impact on diplomatic and sporting ties between India and Pakistan.
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2. BCCI’s Stand: No Bilateral Cricket With Pakistan
Reacting firmly to the incident, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla reiterated that India will not engage in any bilateral cricket series with Pakistan. Speaking to Sports Tak, he said:
“We are with the victims and we condemn it. Whatever our government will say, we will do. We don’t play with Pakistan in bilateral series because of the government stand. And we will not play with Pakistan in bilaterals going forward. But when it comes to ICC events, we play due to ICC engagement.”
This statement underlined India’s long-standing position — that cricket and terrorism cannot go hand in hand.
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3. ICC Events: The Only Platform for India-Pakistan Matches
While India and Pakistan continue to avoid bilateral cricket, the only stage where the two giants clash is in ICC tournaments. The last time the two teams met was during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, held in India. Although Pakistan was initially slated to host the Champions Trophy 2025, India refused to travel there due to security concerns. Eventually, the matches involving India — including the high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash and the final — were moved to Dubai.
4. A Solemn Tribute During IPL 2025 Match 41
As a mark of respect to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, BCCI ensured a silent yet powerful tribute during IPL 2025 Match 41 between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
Before the start of the match, a 60-second silence was observed. A formal announcement over the stadium’s public address system invited all spectators and players to join in paying respects to the departed souls.
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5. Players, Captains, and Officials Wear Black Armbands
The emotional tone of the evening was reflected in the symbolic gestures by the players and staff. All players, match officials, team support staff, and even the commentary team wore black armbands throughout the game as a mark of mourning and solidarity with the families of the victims.
During the toss, both team captains offered condolences and strongly condemned the attack.
6. No Celebrations, Only Silence
In a rare but powerful move, the BCCI decided to conduct the match without any celebratory elements. This included:
• No cheerleader performances
• No celebratory fireworks
• No DJ music or live entertainment
This created a somber, respectful atmosphere throughout the game — a clear indication of cricket standing united with the nation during this difficult time.
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7. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia’s Emotional Statement
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia also expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In his official statement, he said:
“Anguished by the tragic loss of innocent lives in the gruesome terror attack at Pahalgam. On behalf of the BCCI, while condemning this ghastly and cowardly act in the strongest possible words, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the departed souls. In sharing their pain and grief, we stand hand in hand at this hour of tragedy.”
These words reflected the mood not just within the BCCI, but across the nation.
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8. India-Pakistan Cricket: The Long Freeze Continues
India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series in 2012-13 when Pakistan toured India for a limited-overs series. India hasn’t toured Pakistan since 2008. Over a decade has passed, and given the recurring tensions and terror incidents, there seems to be no possibility of bilateral ties being resumed anytime soon.
The message from the BCCI is loud and clear — cricket cannot be separated from national interest and security.
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9. The Road Ahead: Cricket Diplomacy Unlikely to Resume
With repeated terror attacks affecting the peace and stability of the region, sports diplomacy seems off the table. BCCI’s alignment with the Indian government’s stance on Pakistan remains firm. Until and unless there is a visible change in the geopolitical climate, India-Pakistan bilateral cricket will remain suspended.
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10. Conclusion: A United Stand in Grief and Resolve
The terror attack in Pahalgam has once again reminded us that some things are more important than sports. While cricket is a passion for millions, it cannot be a medium of normalcy when the wounds of terrorism are fresh.
The BCCI’s tribute during the IPL, its dignified silence, and its strong message have resonated deeply with the Indian public. At this time, the cricketing fraternity stands together — not to play, but to mourn, remember, and resolve for a safer future.
