Ex-India cricketer and Member of Parliament Gautam Gambhir is not in favor of cricket between India and Pakistan until the latter stops sending militants in Jammu and Kashmir.
Gambhir said cricket doesn't matter as much as the lives of Indian soldiers do. He also added the Indian armed forces are the greatest heroes of our country and what he has done -- playing cricket for India -- is nothing much in comparison to their sacrifice.
In an exclusive interview with IANS, Gambhir said, "Ultimately, cricket does not matter. The lives of our soldiers do."
"I haven't done any favour to anyone by playing and winning for the country. But look at someone who is defending us on Siachen or Pakistan border, risking his life for a small amount of money. They are the greatest heroes of our country", he added.
Gambhir revealed he wanted to serve the country by joining the Indian Army, but he played Ranji Trophy at an early age while being in school. His parents induced him to continue cricket and play at the international level. "It was another way of standing up for the country. So I agreed," he said.
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The 39-year-old could have joined the territorial army but he didn't feel the Indian soldiers need a brand ambassador. "135 million Indian soldiers are brand ambassadors of the Indian Defence Forces. They don't need brand ambassadors to promote themselves," he said.
Gambhir added that only those who have earned the uniform should wear it. "No one should wear it who has not earned it," the ex-cricketer opined.
The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) politician feels it's the responsibility of every Indian to speak for the Indian armed forces who are taking bullets for them on the border.
"They give their lives to protect us. The least we can do is stand by them," he said.
The political tension between India and Pakistan has only got worse in recent times. He feels India shouldn't play cricket with Pakistan unless the neighbor country stops terrorism. "I would have taken this stand with or without being in politics. I have always held similar views," he clarified.
Gambhir and former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi aren't on good terms. Even off the field, they have often made comments on each other.
Back in World Cup 2011 semi-final match, Afridi had made a comment on India's internal matter. Gambhir recalled the incident and said, "Afridi's statement during the 2011 semi-final match that he wanted to win the toss for Kashmiris (actually we won that semi-final). It was a ridiculous statement. We don't talk about Pakistan's issues, so why should talk about our issues? They can deal with their problems and we can handle our own issues.
"But Afridi politicized the toss. No one appreciated that. So when we won the game I said that I wanted to dedicate it to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. My stand remains. I say things which I believe. I don't say things to make headlines. That is not something excites me," he said.
(With IANS Inputs)
