Vikrant Gupta hopes for revival of Pakistan-India cricket ties in exclusive interview
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Veteran Indian journalist Vikrant Gupta expressed hope for the revival of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan, stating that an Indian team tour to Pakistan should happen someday, despite historical challenges.
Gupta who is on a three day visit to Pakistan, while talking exclusively to The Express Tribune, expressed his admiration for the hospitality in Lahore, describing his stay as an "amazing experience" but mentioned that he had not had a single moment to himself during his third day in the city.
When asked about the possibility of the Indian team visiting Pakistan in the future, he expressed hope that it would happen someday. He acknowledged the historical challenges, noting that cricket had often been caught in the crossfire of strained relations between the two nations.
He recalled the 1978 series when India last toured Pakistan after a gap of 16-17 years, highlighting the start-stop nature of Indo-Pak cricketing ties.
'I believe it is not up to me, you, or even the cricket boards to decide. When relations between India and Pakistan normalise, and trust is rebuilt, cricket will undoubtedly be the first bridge between the two countries," he stated.
Discussing Pakistan's performance in the Champions Trophy and their early exit, the journalist shared that he had anticipated struggles for the team, particularly after seeing their tri-series games where New Zealand defeated them twice. He expressed doubt about Pakistan's chances of winning the tournament, suggesting that only luck could have helped them make it to the semifinals.
Comparing Pakistan to cricketing giants like India, Australia, New Zealand, and England, he felt that while those teams had mastered the one-day format, Pakistan seemed to be "caught up in the primitive zone."
He observed that Pakistan, traditionally known for its bravery on the field, appeared to be timid this time. He speculated that insecurity in the dressing room, a lack of preparation, or an ineffective team combination could be reasons behind the team's struggles.
Finally, when asked about India's advantage in the Champions Trophy, he agreed that India benefits from playing all their matches in Dubai, where they don't need to travel, unlike other teams. However, he believed that if India were to play in Pakistan, the local conditions would better suit them, making it feel like their second home.
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