India's Position on Bilateral Cricket with Pakistan Following Pahalgam Attack

Following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated categorically that India will not play any bilateral cricket series with Pakistan. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla reiterated that this position is categorically rooted in the government's position, and India will go on to shun playing Pakistan in any bilateral cricket series. This is a continuation of a standing policy whereby the two countries have not played a bilateral series since the season of 2012-13. That season, Pakistan toured India for a limited-overs series, and it has been the last bilateral match played between the two. India had last toured Pakistan in 2008, and since then, there has only been an international tournament encounter between the two sides.

Pakistan came to India in 2023 for the ODI World Cup, but India refused to go to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy in 2025. Their games, including the match against Pakistan, were instead played in Dubai. Shukla made it unequivocally clear that although India and Pakistan will continue to clash in international games under the International Cricket Council (ICC) interaction, there will not be any bilateral cricket unless the government opinion is altered. He further stated that the ICC is completely aware of the issue, and it will take due actions in accordance with the prevailing tensions.

The secretary of the BCCI, Devajit Saikia, also sent his condolences to the victims of the terror attack in his heart of hearts. The cricketing community was greatly upset over the tragic loss of innocent lives, according to him. He strongly denounced the attack and conveyed his sympathy to the relatives of the deceased. Saikia mentioned that the BCCI stands together as one with the families of the victims in their moment of this terrible tragedy and is sharing the pain.

In respect of the victims of the attack, the BCCI undertook a tribute to be observed during the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. There was a 60-second silence before the match started. The tribute was also intimated on the public address system so the BCCI could reach both stadium and broadcast audience. Furthermore, the two team captains also offered their respects in the toss, condemning the gruesome act. All match officials, players, and support staff sported black armbands as a gesture of respect, and the commentary team mentioned the gloomy occasion live on air.

In another act of respect, the BCCI chose to conduct the match without any pomp and show. There were no cheerleader routines, fireworks, or celebratory music. This choice helped ensure that the mood was somber and in line with the gravity of the tragedy. This solemn event helped everyone who attended the match to be able to think about the collective sorrow of the country and pay tribute to the victims in the most respectful manner.

The Pahalgam terror attack has had a profound impact on the cricketing community, and the BCCI’s decision not to engage in bilateral cricket with Pakistan is part of a larger stance that aligns with India’s national policy. This shows how sports and politics are intertwined and how the cricketing community is responding to the tragic loss of life in Kashmir. The homage paid to the victims in the IPL game and solidarity messages by the cricket community speak about the intense degree of respect and understanding towards victims of the brutal attack. Although cricket remains an enjoyable experience for millions, at such moments they recall how indispensable is it for all of them to come together at moments of catastrophe and take sides with victims of such violent attacks.