India’s star T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has found himself in the middle of a cricketing storm without even intending to. While India’s team is busy playing South Africa in a tightly-contested series, a video of Yadav has gone viral—and it’s stirring up plenty of chatter.
In the clip, Yadav is happily posing with fans when he’s asked a question that’s on many minds: “Why aren’t you coming to Pakistan?” His response? “It’s not in our hands,” he says with a polite smile.
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For a moment that wasn’t even on the pitch, it’s certainly become one of the more talked-about statements in the cricketing world this week. But let’s dive into what’s going on here.
India and Pakistan’s Cricket Conundrum
The root of the question is India’s decision not to tour Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, set for early next year. The BCCI recently told the ICC that it won’t send its team across the border, citing instructions from the Indian government.
Now, anyone who follows cricket knows how rare it is to see India and Pakistan face off outside of neutral territory. Political tensions have kept the teams apart for years, and it seems this Champions Trophy isn’t going to be the exception.
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The PCB’s Move: A “Minus-India” Formula?
The PCB isn’t just letting this slide. According to reports, Pakistan’s cricket board plans to take action, pressing the ICC for a formal response from the BCCI on this decision. They’re drawing attention to past instances, like the 1996 and 2003 World Cups, where teams refused to travel to certain host countries but didn’t get the venues changed.
In 1996, Australia and the West Indies decided not to play in Sri Lanka, while in 2003, England and New Zealand declined to tour Zimbabwe and Kenya. In both cases, the ICC chose not to shift any venues. Instead, the points were awarded to the opposing teams.
Now, the PCB is arguing that a similar approach should be taken for the Champions Trophy, proposing a “minus-India” formula if the BCCI sticks to its refusal. This would mean the tournament goes on as planned, with or without India.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Take
When Suryakumar Yadav said, “It’s not in our hands,” he’s acknowledging a reality that fans sometimes overlook. Players, no matter how much they want to play or tour, don’t make these calls.
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They’re ultimately bound by decisions from cricket boards and governments. Yadav’s response, though brief, highlights that the choice isn’t up to him or his teammates. Still, his words carry weight, especially given his popularity and India’s position in the cricketing world. As the reigning T20I captain, he’s a face of Indian cricket, and even a simple comment like this has people talking.
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