EXCLUSIVE: Cautious Rahane, Pujara, Kuldeep and Agarwal hint at gag order over Cricket with Pakistan, even as BCCI skirts boycott over Pulwama attack

While the BCCI is yet to take a concrete stand on whether India should boycott Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup, it seems the cricketing body has gagged the voices of players who wish to give their opinion.

Three of India's top players in Test cricket - Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara and Kuldeep Yadav - and budding talent - Mayank Agarwal - have told Republic TV that the BCCI has barred them from expressing their thoughts unless a permission is sought.

In the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, a large section of people have demanded the fixture between the neighboring nations in the sporting event to be canceled. The country has been demanding cricketers to stand with their sentiments, and speak up against playing Pakistan.

But when Republic TV contacted four of the national team players, they decided to not express thier views, not because they don't have a stand, but only because they don't have the permission to do so.

Mayank Agarwal, when asked on this matter, revealed that he did have a stand, but is not allowed to speak because of the rules and regulations of BCCI.

"I am not allowed to answer any of that. You have to ask our management. I have my stand, but there are rules and regulations we have to folow. I cannot give an interview or speak about it on my own......After that meeting (CoA meeting) is done, once we get clearance, only then we can discuss," he said.

Rahane also stated that he cannot give his opinion unless a permission is sought from the BCCI.

"You have to take permission from BCCI.....You have to ask BCCI for any kind of interview. So you ask them, and then I don't have any kind of problem in giving interview," he said.

The other two players - Pujara and Kuldeep - chose not to answer the question posed in front of them.

"I can't comment on that right now. I am playing matches, so I don't want to comment," Pujara said.

READ THIS: The BCCI's Letter To The ICC Regarding World Cup 2019, In The Wake Of The Pulwama Terror Attack

Kuldeep mentioned that he wishes to not comment, and would accept any decision taken by BCCI on this matter.

"I don't want to make any comment. I don't want to make any comment, it is simple. Whatever the BCCI decides, I have no problem with that. I can't take a decision on this matter," Kuldeep added.

While the present players have failed to take any stand on whether India should play Pakistan in World Cup, owing to the BCCI, a number of ex-players have come out with their opinions.

READ: Letting Indians' Sentiments Down, Sachin Tendulkar Wants India To Play Pakistan At World Cup 2019

The likes of Harbhajan Singh, Sourav Ganguly have said that all ties with Pakistan should be cut off, while the likes of Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar have opined that World Cup fixture should go ahead.