Shikhar Dhawan Supports India’s Stance on Pakistan Cricket
Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has strongly backed India’s decision to not play cricket in Pakistan. He believes that national security should always come before sports. In a recent interview, Dhawan clearly stated, “No, I don’t think so. Cricket shouldn’t come before our country’s stand. Until terrorism ends, there should be no cricket in Pakistan.” This statement comes amidst ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan, which have greatly affected cricket relations between the two nations.
Dhawan Emphasizes Government’s Role in Cricket Decisions
Dhawan, the star player of the 2013 Champions Trophy, highlighted that decisions about playing in Pakistan are made by the government and cricket boards, not players. “First, the governments need to be on the same page. Then it comes down to the cricket boards, and finally to the players. Players don’t have much say in these matters.” He reiterated India’s firm stance, “If our country has taken a stand that we will not play in Pakistan, then we stand by it.” He believes players must respect and follow the government’s decisions regarding international cricket.
India’s Decision and Pakistan’s Concerns
India has officially decided not to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Instead, they’ll play their matches at a neutral venue in the UAE. This decision aligns with India’s policy of not playing bilateral series with Pakistan outside of ICC tournaments. Pakistan has often expressed concerns about the BCCI’s (Board of Control for Cricket in India) growing influence in international cricket due to its financial strength. However, Dhawan dismissed these concerns, saying, “No worries, let it be.”
Dhawan’s Impressive Cricket Career
Dhawan, a left-handed batsman, represented India in all formats of cricket, excelling particularly in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). In 167 ODIs, he scored 6,793 runs with an average of 44.1, including 17 centuries and 39 fifties. In Test matches, Dhawan scored 2,315 runs in 34 matches at an average of 40.6, with seven centuries and five fifties. His memorable partnerships with Murali Vijay are still talked about by cricket fans. In T20 Internationals, he played 68 matches and scored 1,759 runs with an average of 27.9, including 11 fifties.
Dhawan’s Domestic Cricket Achievements
Dhawan’s success extended to domestic cricket as well. He played 122 First-Class matches, scoring 8,499 runs with an average of 44.26, including 25 centuries and 29 fifties. In List A cricket, he played 302 matches and amassed an impressive 12,074 runs with an average of 43.90, hitting 30 centuries and 67 fifties. These stats highlight Dhawan’s significant contributions to Indian cricket at both national and domestic levels. His support for India’s stance on Pakistan reflects the sentiment within the Indian cricket community, prioritizing national interests over sports.
