NEW DELHI, July 19: Hailing the BCCI for its efforts to revive bilateral cricketing ties with arch-rival Pakistan, former skipper Bishen Singh Bedi today said the sport should not be mixed with politics.
‘We are living in free India, there are those who oppose, but I am of the view that there should be matches between India and Pakistan. Cricket is a separate thing from politics, the two should not be mixed. If cricketers are ready to play, then why not?,’ Bedi said.
The two Asian cricketing giants are set to revive their rivalry on the field after a gap of five years following the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
The two teams are scheduled to play three ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals in India in December-January.
Bedi’s successor as Team India’s captain, Sunil Gavaskar, had earlier slammed BCCI’s decision to resume the bilateral ties saying there was no need to for the resumption of cricketing relation with Pakistan as they were not cooperating in the 26/11 probe.
Bedi, who is the head coach at Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), said Pakistan will have the leverage of coming out fresh against India, as the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team would be playing non-stop cricket in the build-up to the tournament.
‘It should be a good series, but Indian players will be under pressure because they would be returning from series against England, Australia and South Africa and will have little time to rest before playing Pakistan. Pakistani team will come fresh,’ Bedi said.
The legendary left-arm spinner, meanwhile, said the country has ‘huge expectations’ from promising southpaw Yuvraj Singh, but pointed that it would not be easy for him to make a comeback to the international cricket.
‘Doctors and selectors will determine his physical fitness and his batting and cricketing form. If he is ready for the international series, my prayers are with him,’ he said. (UNI)
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