Sunil Gavaskar’s Heartfelt Plea for Peace Following Pahalgam Terror Attack
In a poignant moment ahead of the IPL 2025 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar broke into an emotional outburst on live television. The former captain, known for his forthright commentary on Star Sports, condemned the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam that shook the nation, claiming 26 innocent lives and leaving several others critically injured.
Gavaskar’s voice trembled with emotion as he addressed the tragedy, offering his deepest sympathies to the bereaved families. ‘I send my heartfelt condolences to all the families who have lost their loved and dear ones. This tragedy has affected all of us as Indians,’ he said. Turning his attention to the perpetrators and their backers, he posed a powerful question: ‘I just want to ask the handlers and those who backed them—what has all this fighting achieved?’
Reflecting on the futility of violence, the Little Master highlighted a stark reality. ‘For the last 78 years, not a single millimeter of land has changed hands. And for the next 78,000 years, nothing will change. So why don’t we live in peace instead and make our country stronger?’ His appeal for harmony resonated deeply, cutting through the usual buzz of cricket commentary to strike a somber note.
The broadcasting moment was not just a personal reflection from one of India’s greatest cricketers but also a reminder of cricket’s role as a unifying force in times of national grief. Gavaskar, who played 125 Test matches and scored over 10,000 runs in his illustrious career, has often used his platform to speak on issues beyond the boundary, and this heartfelt message underscored his stature as a voice of reason.
In the wake of the devastating attack in Pahalgam, a picturesque town in Jammu and Kashmir often frequented by tourists and pilgrims, the cricketing fraternity has come together in solidarity. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia also issued a strong statement condemning the act of terror. ‘The cricketing community is deeply shocked and anguished by the tragic loss of innocent lives in the gruesome attack at Pahalgam. On behalf of the BCCI, I condemn this ghastly and cowardly act in the strongest possible terms. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the departed souls. We stand hand in hand at this hour of tragedy,’ Saikia stated on Wednesday.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India further echoed this sentiment through an official post on X, stating, ‘Standing in solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. Prayers for the families who lost their loved ones in this gruesome incident.’ This collective response from the cricketing world reflects the sport’s deep-rooted connection to the pulse of the nation, transcending the boundaries of the game.
As the IPL 2025 season unfolds, amidst the roar of the crowd and the thrill of competition, moments like these remind us of the human stories that bind us. Sunil Gavaskar’s emotional plea serves as a call to introspection, urging not just the perpetrators but all of us to choose peace over conflict, unity over division. In a country where cricket is more than just a sport, his words carry the weight of history and the hope for a better tomorrow.