BREAKING : India pull out of World Cup amidst relentless border tension
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With continuous tension at the border simmering to untenable proportions, BCCI has finally decided to pull out of the World Cup, which starts on May 5. India had previously contemplated the decision of forfeiting the match against Pakistan in the league stages before they pulled out altogether.
The political tension between India and Pakistan has been disrupting India’s cricket for long now especially with the government hellbent on cutting the sporting ties with their neighbouring country. However, not a single person in their wildest dreams would have thought that the nation would let go of a World Cup altogether, which isn’t happening for another four years now.
The press conference was glum one as well where Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli were present alongside Rahul Johri to reveal the shocking news.
“I think it’s best for the country at the moment. The families of the army, who sacrificed their lives in Pulwama, are yet to heal and we cannot indulge in playing a World Cup where Pakistan would also be playing solely for entertainment purposes,” said Virat Kohli, hiding his eyes under the cap.
For obvious reasons, ICC wasn’t happy with the decision at all and has called for a severance payment to BCCI for the enormous financial loss they would be caused by pulling out of the tournament.
“We’re helpless about the situation as we had made some long-term preparations for the tournament. But, nothing is more important than we sticking together as a country and as we all know, cricket is a part of the country. We stick by the Indian government’s decision,” said Johri.
“We won’t remain out of playing though, as the management is in talks to hold a full-on tour with Kenya in June that could include three Test matches, five ODIs and three T20Is,” added Johri.
This has unlocked a pandora’s box for Shastri though, whose contract with the Indian team was supposed to be till World Cup end. Now, with India forfeiting the tournament, BCCI would have to put a notice for a new coach on the website, Shastri’s chances of automatically getting reappointed also lurks in the darkness. His chances of proving his credential as a master tactician against Zimbabwe could hardly be taken into consideration.
This would surely be the boldest step taken by any nation at the face of political tension and India’s action could be long-lasting repercussions in smoothening BCCI’s ties with ICC in future. The world cricket body would be seriously hoping that all this was a prank by BCCI on the widely celebrated mock day of April 1st as we just did. This article meant no harm to any individual or group.
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