Journalist who supported BCCI’s decision against touring Pakistan enjoys his stay in Lahore

When the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sparked controversy by announcing that the Indian cricket team would not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy, many Indian sports anchors supported the decision. Among them was Vikrant Gupta, who is now relishing his stay in Lahore.

In a previous interview, Vikrant Gupta had accused Pakistan of terrorism and endorsed BCCI’s decision to avoid touring the neighboring country.

“You are saying that BCCI is wrong for not allowing the team to visit Pakistan, but is the Pakistani government doing right by the Indian people? There has been cross-border terrorism for years, you know about 26/11 (Mumbai attacks). Though it was not cricket’s fault, nor the fault of PCB or the people of Pakistan, but it was proven. We also had the Pulwama attack. Wasn’t that unfair?”

Read More: Pakistan rejects Indian propaganda on terror threats during Champions Trophy

He further alleged that Pakistan engages in politics against India while simultaneously wanting to play sports with them.

Vikrant, who frequently appears on TV alongside Pakistani journalists during discussions on India-Pakistan cricket matches, has now visited Lahore despite his past accusations against the country.

In a video with a Pakistani journalist, Vikrant was seen at a restaurant recalling his previous visits to Lahore, mentioning that he still remembers the city well. He also praised the food and expressed a desire to explore more of Lahore.

Many cricket fans pointed out the contradiction in Vikrant’s stance and criticised the PCB for granting him a visa despite his opposition to the Indian team's visit to Pakistan.

However, Vikrant addressed the controversy surrounding his visit in a recent interview on a Pakistani news channel.

Check: Punjab police fire over 100 cops for refusing duty during Champions Trophy 2025

“I am safe because I am an individual, while they are a cricket team and a high-potential target,” he said, adding, “I don’t know the exact reason why the Indian team has not visited Pakistan. It’s not just about security, both countries have strained relations. No one has made an effort to improve them, and I don’t blame anyone.”

He further stated that relations between the two nations have been strained for years and cannot be repaired overnight.