Ex IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla hints that India might boycott Pakistan in World Cup 2019

Though Shukla did not directly say anything about refusing to play Pakistan even in an ICC event but his comments had enough indications that BCCI was definitely considering the idea of a complete boycott of playing against Pakistan.

In the first official reaction coming from BCCI amid growing demands of a cricket boycott against Pakistan, former IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla hinted that India might refuse to play the arch-rivals in the upcoming ODI World Cup in England.

Shukla’s reaction came days after 40 Indian soldiers were martyred after an explosive-laden SUV rammed into a CRPF bus in the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad took the responsibility of the attack.

“We can't tell you right now whether we will play Pakistan in the World Cup as it is far away. We will see what happens," said Shukla about the prospects of India playing Pakistan in the group stages of the 2019 ODI World Cup.

Though Shukla did not directly say anything about refusing to play Pakistan even in an ICC event but his comments had enough indications that BCCI was definitely considering the idea of a complete boycott of playing against Pakistan.

"Our position is very clear. Unless the government gives us nod, we are not going to play with Pakistan. Sports should be above all these things but if somebody is sponsoring terrorism, obviously it will affect sports also," Shukla said.

India are slated to play Pakistan on June 16 at Old Trafford, tickets for which were sold almost a year ago.

Interestingly, India have never talked about boycotting Pakistan from an ICC event or even the Asia Cup. The neighbours have not played a bilateral series ever since the three-match ODI series in India back in 2012 but have faced each other multiple times in various ICC events – the 2017 Champions Trophy final being the last – and Asia Cup matches.

BCCI’s decision of not playing bilateral series against Pakistan was taken on the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Ever since the Indian board has made it clear that the decision to play Pakistan depends on the government’s approval.

Strongly criticising the terrorist attack, Shukla took a direct a jibe a Pakistan saying that they should not be supporting terrorism in any way whatsoever.

"This is the outrage of the people which is reflecting in these ways. Obviously, people will react like this. Pakistan should be wary of these things. They should not support terrorism. We have been saying this from day one. When our government was there, we gave tons of documents about their involvement. They should realise this," Shukla added.