Gautam Gambhir wants India to impose a completed ban on Pakistan | Photo - BCCI | | Photo Credit: BCCL

In the wake of the dastardly Pulwama terror attack, there were calls for a complete boycott on Pakistan on the cricket pitch. Several state cricket associations and the BCCI took down pictures and memorabilia of former Pakistani cricketers from the stadiums and headquarters to protest against the ghastly attack - which saw 40 CRPF soldiers attaining martyrdom, in what was termed as one of the deadliest terror attacks in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.

Several former and current cricketers, including the likes of Harbhajan Singh, Mohammad Azharuddin and Sourav Ganguly also called for a boycott on Pakistan at the upcoming 2019 World Cup. Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir is the latest to join the bandwagon as he voiced his opinion on the sensitive issue. The hero of India's 2011 World Cup and 2007 T20 World Cup final said India should boycott Pakistan not only at the World Cup, but in all major ICC tournaments.

The arch-rivals last played a bilateral series in 2012-13 when Pakistan travelled to India for a three-match ODI and a two-match T20I series. The two teams have since met only in major ICC tournaments like the World Cup, Asia Cup and the Champions Trophy. However, Gambhir believes India should take a stern step and impose a complete ban on Pakistan. He also urged the countrymen to support the Men in Blue if they fail to make it to the knockout stages at the 2019 World Cup after boycotting Pakistan at the tournament, as it will come at the cost of dropping two crucial points.

"We should also boycott the Asia cup so we don’t play Pakistan. No problem in forfeiting 2 points India-Pak match but the entire country should then stand behind the team and not blame them for not making it to the semis or finals," Gambhir told Times Now.

Gambhir, who has often shown his love for the armed forces, said those who are playing politics over the martyrdom of the soldiers, should not be considered and their opinions should not matter. "That certain section who say sport is over politics need not be considered. Nothing is bigger than the loves of the soldiers for me. We can’t put conditional bans on Pakistan, we should stop everything," Gambhir reckoned.

Gambhir was one of the first sportspersons to come out in open and support the families of the Pulwama martyrs through his foundation, which looks after the children and families of the martyrs. He announced that his foundation will take care of the education of the children of the affected families, a move which was appreciated by many.

With the political tensions escalating between the two countries, dark clouds of uncertainties hover over the World Cup tie between India and Pakistan, which is scheduled to take place at Old Trafford, Manchester on June 16. The two teams last met in the Asia Cup last year - where Rohit Sharma & Co defeated Sarfraz Ahmed's men twice before lifting the trophy by beating Bangladesh in the final.

Earlier, BCCI had written a letter to the ICC asking for a ban on countries supporting terrorism, indirectly referring to Pakistan. However, the international board turned down BCCI's request, making it clear that such matters are not in ICC's control and the organisation cannot ask any member nations to sever ties with a particular country.