Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir feels that there is no question of playing cricket against arch-rivals Pakistan after recent political tensions between the two countries.

There has been a raging debate in India over the last few weeks if there is a need to cut off all ties with Pakistan and Gambhir feels that with lives being lost, sport can take a back seat.

“I would not even think of playing cricket with Pakistan. Indian lives are more important than sports,” said Gambhir.

The Delhi batsman recently made a comeback to international cricket in the third Test against New Zealand at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore. Returning to the Indian team after more than two years, Gambhir scored 29 and 50 as India won the Test comfortably.

The 35-year-old is of the opinion that unless there is an end to cross-border terrorism, India should cut ties with Pakistan across all platforms.

“I absolutely endorse that we should not have any relation or ties with Pakistan until the time this cross border terrorism finishes. People need to put themselves in the army’s shoes who have lost their kids, someone have lost their father, son,” Gambhir said.

“We can say this sitting in an AC room that cricket or Bollywood should not be compared to politics as long as we don’t think ourselves as Indians, or think for our own countrymen. So I totally endorse that until the time we don’t secure our own Indians, our own countrymen, all other things can be kept aside.”

India and Pakistan have not played each other in a Test match since December 2007. In the recent past, the two sides have faced off against each other mostly only at multi-nation tournaments.

They are scheduled to meet in the group stages at the ICC Champions Trophy in England in June 2017.