In a bold move, the Indian Army carried out precision missile strikes on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) on the night of May 6, as part of Operation Sindoor. While the strikes have rattled Pakistan, what’s creating buzz is that an ex-IPL player had once visited the same region—a player Virat Kohli once looked up to as an idol.

Herschelle Gibbs in Controversial Kashmir League

Back in 2021, former South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs created headlines by playing in the Kashmir Premier League (KPL)—a tournament organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board in POK, a territory India considers illegally occupied. Gibbs was the only foreign cricketer to play in the league and claimed that the BCCI had warned him of being blacklisted from entering India if he did so.

“Unnecessary of the BCCI to bring their political agenda with Pakistan into the equation… They even threatened me with a ban from entering India,” Gibbs posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The Virat Connection

Interestingly, Virat Kohli once idolized Gibbs, especially during his U-19 days. Kohli admired Gibbs' aggressive batting and fielding prowess. Gibbs played a key role in Deccan Chargers’ IPL 2009 title win and later represented Mumbai Indians before ending his IPL career in 2012.

Gibbs’ IPL Stats

• Matches: 36
• Runs: 886
• Average: 27.86
• Half-Centuries: 6

Now, the fact that this very player once played right in the heart of a region recently hit by Indian missiles has once again stirred controversy—and raised questions about the politicization of sports.