Will do what the BCCI decides: Virat Kohli on India-Pakistan World Cup clash
New Delhi, Feb 23 (IBNS): Indian skipper Virat Kohli finally broke his silence over the ongoing debate whether the national side should play in the World Cup match against Pakistan and said they will do what the BCCI decides at that time on the matter.
"Our sincere condolences to the families of CRPF soldiers who lost their lives in Pulwama Attack," Kohli said.
"We stand by what the nation wants to do and what the BCCI decides to do," he said.
Amid debates over whether the national side should play the neighbouring nation in the upcoming gala event in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pulwama, Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar on Friday batted in favour of India playing the World Cup match against Pakistan.
A terror attack in Pulwama on Feb 14 left 40 Indian CRPF jawans killed. India blamed Pakistan for the attack.
Tendulkar said it is time for Virat Kohli and his men to beat Pakistan again in the 50-over grand event.
India have never lost to Pakistan in World Cup.
"India has always come up trumps against Pakistan in the World Cup," Sachin said in a statement.
"Time to beat them once again," he said.
Sachin said: "Would personally hate to give them two points and help them in the tournament."
However, Sachin said he will always accept whatever decision the nation takes on the issue.
Sachin played in several high-voltage World Cup clashes against Pakistan in his cricket career.
A week after a terror attack in Pulwama area of Jammu and Kashmir left 40 CRPF jawans killed, the Indian cricket board on Friday wrote a letter to the International Cricket Council and asked it to take note of the situation.
In the letter, BCCI urged the cricketing community to sever ties with countries from which 'terrorism emanates'.
"The BCCI on Friday wishes to address concerns and sentiments that have emerged after the recent dastardly terrorist attack which was carried out on Indian soil by a terror outfit based out of Pakistan which resulted in the death of 44 Indian security personnel," read the BCCI letter.
"In view of the aforesaid terrorist attack, BCCI fears for the safety and security of players and match officials participating in upcoming ICC events including the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Most countries from which the members of the ICC hail (including the United Kingdom) have strongly condemned this terrorist attack and expressed solidarity with India. BCCI urges the cricketing community to sever ties with countries from which terrorism emanates," it said.
Speaking on the issue of security during the World Cup, the Indian cricket board said: "The BCCI also wishes to express its concerns over the safety and security of fans of Indian cricket at the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. The BCCI trusts that the ICC and ECB will ensure that the most robust security is provided to players, match officials and fans of Indian cricket for the upcoming World Cup.
Image: Virat Kohli Twitter page
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