Veteran Indian journalist Vikrant Gupta has expressed hope for a revival of India-Pakistan cricket links and said that despite historic challenges, India’s team tour to Pakistan should one day happen.
Gupta, who has been visiting Pakistan for three days, is Express Triviewexpressing his admiration for Lahore’s hospitality, describing his stay as a “surprising experience,” but he stated that he had no moments for himself on his third day in town.
When asked about the possibility of an Indian team visiting Pakistan in the future, he expressed hope that it will happen one day. He acknowledged the historical challenges, noting that cricket was often caught up in crossfires of tension between the two countries.
He recalls the 1978 series, when India last toured Pakistan after a 16-17 gap, highlighting the start-stop nature of the Indian Pack cricket bond.
“I don’t think it’s up to me to decide on me, you or the cricket board. Once India-Pakistan relations normalize and trust is rebuilt, cricket will undoubtedly become the first bridge between the two countries,” he said.
Journalists who discussed the Champions Trophy and Pakistan’s performance in its early exit shared that they had anticipated a team’s struggle, especially after seeing the Tri-Series game, where New Zealand lost twice. He expressed doubt about the possibility that Pakistan would win the tournament, suggesting that luck only helped them advance to the semi-finals.
Comparing Pakistan to cricket giants such as India, Australia, New Zealand and the UK, he felt that Pakistan seemed “entangled in the primitive zone” while those teams mastered the format of the day.
He observed that Pakistan, traditionally known for its bravery on the field, appears to be ti-disease this time. He speculated that dressing room anxiety, lack of preparation, or ineffective team combinations could be the reason behind the team’s struggle.
Finally, when asked about India’s advantages in the Champions Trophy, he agreed that India would benefit from playing every match in Dubai, where it doesn’t have to travel, unlike other teams. However, he believed that if India were to play in Pakistan it would feel like their second home, as local conditions would suit them.