Hyderabad, Jan. 27 -- The decision of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to exclude Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup has created deep fissures within the world cricket community. Opinions are sharply divided on the issue. While most Indian cricket experts have spoken in favour of the move, many influential voices outside India have spoken against the ICC's ruling.

Given the fragile relationship that India shares with its neighbours, this situation is not new. Back in the 1980s, when tensions between India and Pakistan were extremely high and conflict seemed imminent, General Zia-ul-Haq attended a Test match in Jaipur to ease relations.

Three years after the Kargil conflict, the Indian team toured Pakistan. At that time, Atal Bihar...