Tensions between former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi and India’s Shikhar Dhawan reached new heights following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir that claimed the lives of 26 tourists. The controversial remarks made by Afridi about the Indian Army sparked a fierce response from Dhawan, and what followed was a back-and-forth of sharp retorts between the two cricketers.
Afridi’s Insulting Comments Spark Outrage
The conflict began when Afridi commented on the Pahalgam terror attack, accusing India of constantly blaming Pakistan for every incident. During an interview on Samaa TV, Afridi said, “Even if a cracker bursts there, you blame Pakistan. You have an eight lakh-strong army in Kashmir, yet this happened. This means your Army is useless for not being able to protect your people.” His comments were widely seen as an insult to the Indian Army, which did not sit well with many, including Shikhar Dhawan.
Dhawan Fires Back with Kargil Reminder
Shikhar Dhawan, known for his calm demeanor, did not hold back in responding to Afridi’s remarks. The former India opener reminded Afridi of Pakistan’s defeat in the 1999 Kargil War. Dhawan took to X (formerly Twitter), sharing an article and writing, “Kargil mein bhi haraya tha, already itna gire hue ho aur kitna giroge, bewajah comments pass karne se acha hai apne desh ki taraqqi mai dimag lagao @SAfridiOfficial. Humein hamari Indian Army par bohot garv hai. Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Jai Hind!” (We defeated you in the Kargil war. To what levels can you stoop to? Instead of passing unnecessary comments, focus on how your country can progress. We are very proud of our Indian Army. Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Jai Hind!).
This direct reply from Dhawan was a clear message to Afridi, underscoring his pride in the Indian Army and his disdain for the baseless remarks made by the Pakistani cricketer.
Afridi’s ‘Tea’ Comment Escalates Tensions Further
As the tension mounted, Afridi responded with another jibe aimed at Dhawan and the Indian Army. Sharing a photo of himself holding a cup of tea, Afridi wrote, “Chouro jeet haar ko, aao tumhey chae pilata hun Shikhar,” which translates to “Forget about winning and losing, come, let me serve you tea, Shikhar.” The comment is widely interpreted as a reference to the 2019 incident when Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured by the Pakistan Air Force after his plane was shot down. During his captivity, a video of him drinking tea went viral, further fueling Afridi’s provocative response.
Sourav Ganguly Calls for Severing Cricket Ties with Pakistan
Amid these exchanges, former India captain Sourav Ganguly added fuel to the fire by calling for a complete severing of cricketing ties with Pakistan in light of the Pahalgam terror attack. Ganguly emphasized that terrorism cannot be tolerated, saying, “100 per cent, cricketing ties should be severed with Pakistan. Strict action is necessary. It is no joke that such things happen every year. Terrorism cannot be tolerated.”
The Ongoing Tensions Between India and Pakistan
The war of words between Afridi and Dhawan has once again highlighted the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly in the wake of recent terror attacks. While both cricketers are known for their passion on the field, their off-field comments have sparked debates about the role of cricket in diplomacy and international relations.
As these exchanges continue to capture attention, the larger issue remains: How can sports and diplomacy coexist in a region marred by conflict?
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