Six years after on April 22, 2025, the Valley bore witness to one of the most horrific terrorist attacks of its history, leaving 26 dead, mostly tourists, and many others injured in the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack, one of the deadliest since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, accelerated times of grief and outrage across India. Cricketers from the current setup and the past, as well as the greats in the game, took to X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram and Facebook to express grief and shock over the incident and deplore the ongoing violence and how to remain united and fight for justice. In the spotlight given to the keyword Cricketers Posts on Pahalgam Terrorist Attack, their outreach magnified the nation’s collective grief and will.
A Nation in Shock
The attack was on unarmed civilians, including tourists from states such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, and two foreign nationals, turning the idyllic tourist destination into a scene of horror. On April 23, 2025, the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir went on a complete strike to protest against the illegal abrogation of Article 370. The nation was grappling with grief and cricket, which is not just a sport but has become almost a religion in the country, so the players used their social and other platforms to put out heartfelt messages of grief, which mirrored the tragedy and their request to stay united.
Cricketers Reaction on Pahalgam Terrorist Attack
From current cricketers to former legends and commentators, the Indian cricketing system came together to denounce the attack. Among their powerful responses, as posted on X, Instagram and elsewhere, are cries from their hearts and calls for justice:
Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans captain): Gill wrote on X, “Heartbreaking to hear about the attack in Pahalgam. My prayers are with the victims and their families. Violence like this has no place in our country.
Yuvraj Singh (Former Player): Yuvraj posted on X, “Deeply saddened by the attack on tourists in Pahalgam. Praying for the victims and for the strength of their families. Let us stand united in hope and humanity.
Virender Sehwag (Former Player): Sehwag listed his anguish on X, Deeply pained to hear of the reprehensible terrorist attack on innocent tourists in #Pahalgam . My heart goes out to those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for the injured🙏
KL Rahul (Current Player): Rahul wrote on X, “Heartbreaking to hear about the terrorist attack in Kashmir. My thoughts are with the families of the victims. Praying for peace and strength 🙏
Gautam Gambhir (Indian Team Head Coach): Gambhir wrote on X, “Praying for the families of the deceased. Those responsible for this will pay. India will strike. #Pahalgam
Virat Kohli (Current Player) “Deeply saddened by the heinous attack in Pahalgam on innocent people,” Kohli posted on Instagram. Heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. Praying for peace and strength to families of all those who lost thier lives and justice to be served for this cruel act.
Sachin Tendulkar (Former Player, Cricket Legend): Sachin shared a story on instagram “Shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic attacks on innocent people in Pahalgam. The affected families must be going through an unimaginable ordeal – India and the world stand united with them at this dark hour, as we mourn the loss of lives and pray for justice.”
Hardik Pandya (Current Player, Captain, Mumbai Indians ): Pandya shared on Instagram, “Devastated by the news from Pahalgam. My thoughts are with those affected and their families.”
Sourav Ganguly (Former Player, Former BCCI President): Ganguly posted on X, “My thoughts and prayers with the families who lost their lives in pehelgaum .. severe action needs to be taken against the culprits ..by the Govt of india .. none to be spared ..”
Irfan Pathan (Former Player): Irfan Pathan Posted on X, Every time an innocent life is lost, humanity loses. It’s heartbreaking to see and hear about what happened in Kashmir today. I was just there couple of days ago — this pain feels too close.
Yusuf Pathan (Ex-Cricketer): Yusuf shared on X, “Deeply shocked and saddened by the horrific terror attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Praying for the swift recovery of the injured. Such acts of violence have no place in our society. May peace prevail.”
Shreevats Goswami (Former Player): Goswami took a strong stance on X, Requesting all Indian players in the IPL to wear a black armband this week atleast . In memory of the innocent lives lost in Kashmir. Play the game. But let the world watching know. Cricket reaches millions across borders — this small gesture can spread awareness and show solidarity. It’s the least we can do. Thank you. #IPL #Kashmir
VVS Laxman (Former Player): In a post on X, Laxman said, “Extremely pained by the deadly attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest and justice is brought soon”
Former Player Suresh Raina on X, “Cowardly. Inhuman. Shameful. The attack in Pahalgam is not just an assault on lives, but on the spirit of our nation. We stand united against terror — justice must be swift, strong, and uncompromising. #Pahalgam #TerrorAttack #IndiaWillNotForge
Anil Kumble (Former Player, Former Head Coach): Kumble posted on X, “Heartbreaking to hear about the tragic attack in Pahalgam. Innocent lives lost to senseless violence. Praying for strength and peace for the affected families. Let’s stand together against hate” #Pahalgam
Ravi Shastri (Former Player, Former Coach): “A ghastly, cowardly act that should unite the nation fully, bar none #pahalgamattack
Aakash Chopra (ex-cricketer, commentator): “Unimaginable atrocity in Pahalgam. Heart goes out to the victims and their families. 🕉️शान्ति। Hope the perpetrators (and their sympathisers) are identified, caught and given the punishment they deserve.
Jasprit Bumrah (Current Player): Bumrah took to Instagram and posted, “Disturbing news about the attack in Pahalgam. Praying for all the victims and their families. 🙏
Suryakumar Yadav (Current Player): “Devastated by the news of cowardly attack in Pahalgam. Let us stand united against terrorism and pray for strength and justice for families of victims.
Mohammed Siraj (Current Player): Siraj wrote on X, “Just read about the horrific and shocking terrorist attack in Pahalgam. To target and kill innocent civilians in the name of religion is pure evil… No cause, no belief, no ideology can ever justify such a monstrous act. Yeh kaisi ladai hai…
Mohammad Hafeez (Former Pakistan Cricketer): Hafeez, one of the few voices from the other side of the border, wrote on X, “Sad” & heartbroken #PahalgamTerroristAttack.
A Platform for Solidarity
They are not condolences but a clear message on X, as well as on Instagram and Facebook — unity and justice. Cricketers used their enormous followings to draw attention to the plight of the victims and the wider issue of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. These were picked on by fans, such as through trending hashtags like #PahalgamTerroristAttack on X, which created a virtual wave of solidarity. In a further gesture of mourning, the Board of Control for Cricket in India said on Wednesday that players would wear black armbands for the IPL 2025 match between the Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 23, 2025, and that there would be no use of fireworks or cheerleaders.
The timing of the attack, at a time of a particular upswing in tensions after Article 370 abrogation in 2019, and its repercussions not just on tourism, but on the image of Pahalgam as a tourist paradise made it complicated. But the cricketers’ messages were about hope, encouraging the country to reject fear and come together. Some, like Goswami and Raina, explicitly connected the attack to terrorism rooted in Pakistan, and to an end to sporting ties, while others, like Tendulkar and Kohli, emphasized universal humanity and justice.
Government Response and Background
The cricketers’ responses came as the government moved immediately. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a visit to Saudi Arabia, returned therefrom and held a press briefing at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on April 22, 2025. Union Home Minister Amit Shah called on residents in Srinagar, reassuring victims’ families that the killers will be brought to justice. Security forces launched operations to nab the attackers, who agencies said were linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba’s proxy, The Resistance Front.
Conclusion
Cricketers Posts on the Pahalgam Terrorist Attack: The posts were a reminder of how relevant the cricketing community could be in tough times. From Shubman Gill’s appeal for peace to Gautam Gambhir’s clarion call for action, from Sachin Tendulkar’s global spirit to Mohammad Hafeez’s cross-border condolence, they encapsulated India’s sorrow and determination. Amid the mourning across the nation, the cricketing world’s words still rings out inspiring solidarity, reiterating that the spirit of togetherness prevails even in the land of a terror attack.
