In the middle of a tense standoff with Pakistan, when the Indian armed forces are on high alert and the country is practically in a war-like situation, guess who decided it was time to talk cricket? None other than Congress MP and BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla, who, in what can only be described as an untimely outburst of political desperation, suggested that the BCCI may consider reviving the Indian Premier League, possibly from May 14 or 16. Because, yes, nothing screams national unity like bat and ball while bombs threaten to fall.
Shukla’s statement comes at a time when even a shred of national responsibility should dictate caution. The DGMO, along with representatives of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, made it abundantly clear that the situation with Pakistan is far from resolved. The ceasefire, such as it was, has already been violated. Yet, here we have a sitting Member of Parliament downplaying national security concerns and floating cricketing fantasies. Why? Because the Modi government is getting “too much credit” for its decisive handling of the crisis?
Let’s call it what it is: political envy. The Congress has perfected the art of missing the moment, and now one of its own has extended that skill set to the cricket field. Shukla’s statement is not just premature—it’s tone-deaf. Worse, it smacks of opportunism: a desperate attempt to regain relevance by playing to the gallery, even if that gallery is filled with clueless fans who think IPL should go on no matter what.
Let’s not forget: Shukla’s current position in the BCCI is less a merit-based appointment and more a relic of Congress-era networking. That he still clings to power within India’s richest sports body is a testament to how deeply politics has infiltrated cricket administration. But even by those murky standards, this kind of recklessness is a new low.
The irony doesn’t end there. Even as he makes a spectacle of national priorities, the BCCI has gone ahead and elevated Rajeev Shukla—alongside Ashish Shelar—to key roles in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). That means India will now be represented on the ACC Board by a man who thinks IPL scheduling matters more than national security.
No, Mr. Shukla. Cricket can wait. It must wait. When soldiers are putting their lives on the line, when civilians in border states are sleeping in fear, and when the threat from a rogue neighbour remains very real, your job is not to discuss playoff fixtures and rescheduling logistics. Your job is to shut up and stand with the country.
Let’s also spare a thought for the franchises. Yes, they will lose money. Yes, broadcasters will be upset. But is that a national priority right now? If the situation worsens, scrapping the rest of the IPL should not be seen as a loss, but as a symbolic show of unity and resolve. A country cannot allow its most powerful sporting body to operate in a vacuum, especially when the vacuum is filled with political gas.
As a cricketer myself, I strongly feel that the BCCI—with all its wealth and influence—must never forget its primary role: it is a sports board, not the Lok Sabha. And Rajeev Shukla is not here to play the Opposition within the cricketing arena. His recent statement borders on sabotage. It sends a dangerous signal to our adversaries: that India is distracted, that entertainment and commerce will roll on regardless of national threats. Worse, it emboldens those within our borders who routinely place politics above patriotism.
The BCCI must rein in its Vice President—and that’s my take as someone who’s worn the Indian jersey with pride. Better yet, it should sideline him until he remembers that while cricket may be a religion in India, the nation always comes first. If he can’t put India before politics, perhaps he’s better off watching IPL reruns at home than leading a national sports institution.
