Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has strongly condemned former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi’s recent comments blaming the Indian Army for the tragic Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of several Indian soldiers. Afridi’s remarks, made during a media interaction in Karachi, have sparked widespread outrage across India, with Dhawan emerging as one of the most prominent voices denouncing the accusation.
Afridi, known for his frequent political commentary, alleged that the Pahalgam attack was a “planned act” by Indian forces to malign Pakistan on the international stage. He claimed it was part of a “false flag” operation designed to justify aggression against Pakistan.
Reacting sharply, Dhawan took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and wrote,
“Absolutely shameful and irresponsible statement by @SAfridiOfficial. Blaming our brave Indian Army, who lay down their lives to protect our nation, is an insult to their sacrifice. Keep cricket to cricket and stop spreading false narratives.”
The southpaw batsman, known for his calm demeanor on and off the field, rarely comments on political issues, making his statement all the more impactful. Dhawan further added in another post,
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“Our army fights for peace and security, not politics. Those who make baseless claims should be held accountable for spreading misinformation.”
Dhawan’s rebuke has been lauded by fans, fellow cricketers, and public figures, with hashtags like #IStandWithIndianArmy and #ShikharDhawan trending online. Several former Indian cricketers including Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag also echoed similar sentiments, calling Afridi’s comments “irresponsible and inflammatory.”
Meanwhile, official sources in India’s Ministry of External Affairs dismissed Afridi’s statements as “utter propaganda” and reiterated that evidence points clearly to a Pakistan-backed terror outfit being responsible for the Pahalgam attack.
This latest controversy adds to a growing list of political tensions between the two cricketing rivals, especially ahead of the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 scheduled to be held in Pakistan.
As the cricketing world watches the developments unfold, Dhawan’s stand has struck a chord with millions of Indians, reinforcing the idea that sports personalities have a responsibility not only on the field but off it as well.