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Rishi Kapoor requested the IPL to "consider Pakistani players" before kick-off

The IPL kicked off on April 5, but before it did, Rishi Kapoor was hoping the tables might turn in his favour.

06 Apr, 2017

The Indian Premiere League 2017 kicked off on April 5 and there were no Pakistani players in sight. Surprise? Not so much.

Rishi Kapoor, known for his blatant honesty on social media, tweeted a night before the IPL T20 launch asking the cricket league to consider signing Pakistani cricketers on board.

He wrote: "IPL. You got world players. Afghanistan makes debut. My plea is please consider Pakistani players. Phir match hoga! Hum bade log hain. Please!"

This isn't the first time the Kapoor & Sons actor has spoken up about diffusing tensions between Pakistan and India..

During the recent Pak-India cold war, Rishi expressed concern at the sour relations between the two countries and said, "Sometimes some skirmish happens in the border and your whole thinking goes wrong. Sometimes you shake hands and say go ahead. You’re confusing your country, people."

Looks like Rishi's call for tolerance has fallen on deaf ears again.

Comments

Vijay b. Apr 06, 2017 04:59pm

Rishi Kapoor may be a jolly good fellow in his own right, but he has no standing with IPL or the Indian Government; so it would be best if he keeps his pleas and counsels to himself

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Imran AB Apr 06, 2017 05:07pm

Great man Rishi jeeee........ I wish most of us thought like him with a big heart and an open mind !!!!

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Shazad Apr 06, 2017 05:07pm

Well said!!

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lafanga Apr 06, 2017 05:18pm

we don't want to see our players in ipl.

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Sheraz Ali Apr 06, 2017 05:32pm

Rishi Kapoor is a nice gentlemen and his desire to add Pakistani player is IPL is his own idea, no one will listen to him until cricket is out from Politics. Not gonna happen.

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Raj Patel Apr 06, 2017 05:46pm

@lafanga You can see your players Big IF they are selected. Ask your players whether they want to play or not.

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salar Apr 06, 2017 05:59pm

The Kapoor family has a tradition of trying to build bridges and looking at commonalities! Respect to you!

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Wajahat Apr 06, 2017 06:01pm

Thank you Rishi sahib! We appreciate it but it is not worth going to where one is unwelcome.

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Jigar Apr 06, 2017 06:24pm

@lafanga they are already banned.

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Saif zulfiqar Apr 06, 2017 07:26pm

Rishi Kapoor's father/ancestors are from Peshawar, now in Pakistan. Thanks Lala for your support to Pakistani players but the atmosphere is not very good at the moment.

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Imtiaz Chowdhry Apr 06, 2017 07:56pm

Really appreciate his view about having Pakistani Players in the IPL. Pakistani players are banned since indian people loved them so much and that effect the local players. India is not #1 without playing Pakistan....

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The end is near Apr 06, 2017 07:58pm

Rishi Kapoor is a great actor. But Modi will not let that happen what Rishi wants.

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Atticus from India Apr 06, 2017 08:26pm

It will be good to have Pak cricketers too.. Anyway it's a club league. Talent from all over should be welcome.

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RAVI CHICAGO Apr 06, 2017 09:27pm

Politics is part of cricket. Get over with it.

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anil daruwala Apr 06, 2017 10:15pm

@Imtiaz Chowdhry who said we all are enjoying without pakistani players

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Syed Apr 06, 2017 10:35pm

There are peace loving people on both sides of borders.. he is one of them. Personally would like to see Indian players in PSL too proveded same applies in neighbourhood.

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Gofar Khan Apr 06, 2017 10:40pm

@lafanga That is a very good spirit.

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RIZ Apr 06, 2017 11:12pm

At least someone thinking positive in India.

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Bupi Apr 06, 2017 11:23pm

@Vijay b. Realty

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Abdulla Hussain Apr 06, 2017 11:27pm

He is a good man from a good family. His heart is clear. Who will pay heed to his advice. IPL is really incomplete without the challenge of Pakistani bowlers.

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Waheed Noor Apr 07, 2017 12:25am

@lafanga Who are you to decide that? If our players want to play that is their decision. They make money and they will be happy. If you do not like do not watch.

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jaydeep Apr 07, 2017 12:35am

@lafanga neither do we.

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Ayub Apr 07, 2017 12:54am

India is a big country and have lovely people like Rishi Kapoor,but politics have ruined the good relationship of the neighbours.

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Mustafa Apr 07, 2017 01:11am

Unfortunetly there are very few big hearted person left in Inda and Pakistan. Majority are people with little mind and BIG ego

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sandini Apr 07, 2017 02:59am

Rishi you are a good heart man, you have feelings for your neighbor. Thanks for that.

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Sachin arora Apr 07, 2017 07:22am

@lafanga you confirm that you want to see IPL .:)

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Vallabh Patel Apr 07, 2017 08:06am

Off course, Rishi Kapoor is right. There is no harm in including Pakistani players in IPL. Surely Pakistani players will also condemn terrorism. You can not kill sport for political reasons.

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Junaid Ali Apr 07, 2017 08:43am

In sorry rishi bhai but we don't want our player's to participate in IPL

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Zak Apr 07, 2017 09:15am

@lafanga , You are no body to take decision on account of players.. Afridi has shown displeasure on not being allowed to play IPL.. Pakistani players want to play..

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Niaz H. Jafri Apr 07, 2017 10:42am

Thank you Rishi Saahab ! Anyone (whoever it maybe) who preaches peace between India & Pakistan is highly encouraged and respected. Permanent peace between these two countries - or rather neighbors is essential for the well being of millions of the subcontinent. We miss and do need similar sane voices in Pakistan very badly these days. More power to you sir !

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Mohit Apr 07, 2017 11:45am

Nobody is above or below anybody in this world. All are equal and only the deeds of human beings count.

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sallu Apr 07, 2017 01:27pm

Great job Rishi Kapoor but your fellow Indians have tiny pea sized hearts. They mingle sports with politics.

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NOMAN Apr 07, 2017 03:50pm

Mr. rashi kapoor have positve perception about cricket stars. He was great actor and playeing legend role in every film. kapoor famly is the heart of hollywood

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Rehmat Apr 07, 2017 06:30pm

@Vijay b. It doesnt matter, he is better known around sub continent compared to fanatics that are running India today. A sane mind who is looking for collaboration and true spirit of cricket. He knows when Paksitanis are on the filed the house would be full. Love and respect for Rishi Ji.

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a ali Apr 07, 2017 07:52pm

@Vijay b. .... typical banya thinking. you can never grow as good human being...

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Malamal Apr 07, 2017 08:04pm

@Jigar no one banned them its all politicised so get life

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Khany Apr 07, 2017 08:12pm

Rishi Kapoor is one of them good Indians who speaks logic and honestly. He has no hatred for Pakistan. It seems like he understands the evil side of BJP Modi and its party members. People like Rishi Kapoor can bring peace. He has no jealusy and hatred against Pakistan. Looks like most Celebrities dont want to speak their honest mind. Some go against Pakistan and some defend Pakistan.

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hILALE pAKISTAN Apr 07, 2017 08:35pm

No Rishi Sir, we have our own PSL now. No need to participate in IPL.

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IztraaB Apr 08, 2017 08:25am

Pakistani players don't want to be part of IPL.

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Saad razzaq Apr 08, 2017 08:37am

Millions on both sides wants peace and good relations while millions believe in right wing policies. We need to be tolerant to let the peace prevail alas that is a big ask.

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r sultan Apr 08, 2017 04:50pm

Class Pakistani players must and should be included in IPL to make cricket interesting to both Indians & Pakistanis.

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Waqas Ahmed Apr 08, 2017 10:48pm

A rare saner voice from India considering all the jingoism and bigotry that has swept that country recently.

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True Pakistani Apr 09, 2017 02:33pm

Anyone who wishes for peace will always command respect, thank you sir.

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