Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has expressed his keenness for a potential Test cricket contest against the Pakistan cricket team, advocating for the resumption of bilateral cricket between the neighboring nations.
Speaking on the Club Prairie Fire Podcast alongside Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist and former English skipper Michael Vaughan, Sharma emphasized the importance of fostering cricketing ties between India and Pakistan. Notably, bilateral cricket between the two nations has been suspended since 2007 in the longest format of the game.
Despite limited encounters in recent years, confined mainly to World Cups and the Asia Cup, Sharma highlighted the desire for a more regular and varied cricketing engagement between the two sides. Acknowledging Pakistan’s formidable bowling lineup, Sharma anticipated a fiercely competitive match if played at a neutral venue.
In a bid to facilitate such a match, the England Cricket Board had previously offered to serve as “neutral hosts” for a potential Pakistan-India Test series, signaling a potential pathway towards reviving bilateral Test cricket between the arch-rivals.
Responding to Vaughan’s inquiry on the potential benefits of India and Pakistan playing Test cricket, Sharma expressed his belief in the positive impact it would have on the format. He underscored the purity of the game, emphasizing the essence of cricket as a contest between bat and ball.
Sharma’s remarks echo a sentiment shared by many cricket enthusiasts, emphasizing the significance of promoting cricketing ties between India and Pakistan beyond the confines of major tournaments. With hopes pinned on diplomatic breakthroughs and sporting goodwill, the prospect of a Test cricket showdown between the neighboring nations remains a tantalizing possibility for fans and players alike.
