In a recent conversation on the Club Prairie Fire podcast, India’s cricket captain, Rohit Sharma, expressed his enthusiasm for the idea of organizing Test series between India and Pakistan at neutral venues. This suggestion follows closely on the heels of IPL chairman Arun Dhumal’s comments to RevSportz, where he mentioned the uncertainty surrounding Pakistani players’ participation in the Indian T20 league.
Rohit Sharma, speaking alongside hosts Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan, emphasized his desire to witness regular bilateral cricket matches between India and Pakistan. Such matches have been absent from the cricketing calendar for over a decade now, with the last bilateral series—a three-match ODI contest—taking place in 2012-13.
Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, questioned Rohit about the potential benefits to Test cricket if India and Pakistan were to resume bilateral series overseas. Rohit responded affirmatively, citing the excitement such contests would generate and the positive impact they could have on the health of Test cricket. The last full series involving Tests and limited-overs matches between India and Pakistan occurred in 2007.
However, the revival of bilateral cricket between the two nations hinges on approval from the Indian government. While the Pakistan Cricket Board has consistently advocated for the resumption of cricketing ties, negotiations remain deadlocked. Recently, Cricket Australia expressed its willingness to host an India-Pakistan series if both the BCCI and the PCB agreed to it.
Rohit Sharma praised Pakistan’s cricketing prowess, especially their formidable bowling lineup, highlighting the prospect of competitive matches, particularly on foreign soil. He emphasized his perspective on the contest purely from a cricketing standpoint, devoid of any external factors. Rohit reiterated his interest in engaging in bilateral cricket with Pakistan, asserting his focus on the sport’s essence—a battle between bat and ball.
As the first prominent figure in Indian cricket to publicly endorse the idea of resuming bilateral series with Pakistan at neutral venues, Rohit Sharma’s stance carries weight. However, the feasibility of such matches ultimately rests on governmental approval, as emphasized by BCCI officials.
In conclusion, while the prospect of India-Pakistan Test series at neutral venues sparks excitement among cricket enthusiasts, the path to realization remains uncertain, subject to diplomatic considerations and administrative negotiations. Yet, Rohit Sharma’s advocacy signals a potential thaw in the longstanding cricketing relations between the two nations, offering hope for a revival of one of cricket’s most storied rivalries on the international stage.
