Australian Cricket Podcasters Reveal India’s Ugly Side During an IPL Event

Popular Australian cricket podcasters, Sam Perry and Ian Higgins, of The Grade Cricketer, recalled a chilling incident from their time in India. The duo, who were in India to cover the Indian Premier League (IPL) and put on live events for the locals, were met with a barrage of extremism and anti-Pakistan sentiment.

Following their hasty exit from India after the IPL was called off, the two recalled an incident in Mumbai where they found themselves confronted with a chilling question that left even seasoned comedians speechless.

“What do you think about India and Pakistan never playing each other again?” asked an audience member. The hosts, used to playful banter, responded in kind—until the questioner, with disturbing confidence, declared, “There will be no more cricket because Pakistan as a state will cease to exist.”

This was not a joke, nor a slip of the tongue. It was a public, unashamed expression of the kind of extremist thinking that is being fanned by Modi’s government and media establishment. The audience’s reaction—nervous laughter, murmurs, and shock—spoke volumes about how such hateful rhetoric is becoming normalized, even in spaces meant for entertainment and unity.

Let’s be clear: this is not about cricket. This is about a dangerous mindset that seeks to erase Pakistan’s very existence, a mindset that is being emboldened by the current climate in India. From politicians making incendiary statements to media outlets amplifying anti-Pakistan propaganda, the message is clear—hate is not just tolerated, it is celebrated.

As Pakistanis, we have always believed in the power of sports to build bridges, not walls. Our cricketers have played with dignity, our fans have cheered with passion, and our nation has always extended the hand of peace—even when it was not reciprocated. But when Indian society allows, and even applauds, such extremist views, it is a stark reminder of the ideological divide that is growing wider by the day.

It is time for the world to take notice. The international community, including sporting bodies, must recognize the toxic environment being cultivated in India—a country that claims to be the world’s largest democracy, yet cannot tolerate the existence of its neighbor.