“An Indo-Pak cricket match has always been like a war here. Now when cricket heroes of India and Pakistan are playing together, it certainly is changing the mindset of people here,” said Firdous Ganai, a local cricketer from Sopore. “IPL has made it only a game here, taking away the politics”.

National Conference president Omar Abdullah agrees that cricket has never been taken just as a game in Kashmir before IPL. “It (IPL) has one big advantage. It has allowed the people to enjoy cricket. You can cheer Shoaib Akhtar’s fast bowling or Adam Gilchrist and Ganguly’s batting without worrying about country loyalties,” he says.

Abdullah said that he too has been waiting for Mudasir to play. “It will be good,” he said. “Our other fast bowler (Abid Nabi) reached very close but then chose to go for the rebel league (ICL)”.

The separatists, however, have different ideas. “We have a problem with IPL because India is sponsoring it. It isn’t a serious issue but it would be better if Kashmiri players don’t join it,” said Mushtaq-ul-Islam, the 1983 protester.

Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Bhat, however, said that the separatists are not against the game. “We didn’t prevent Indian team from playing the game but people hooted the players. They supported the West Indies. That is where the battle lines were drawn”. When asked about IPL which has transcended national boundaries, Bhat said it is the globalisation of cricket. “It would only have a positive impact on Kashmir. Also if they play sports to establish peace or fostering friendship, they will have to resolve Kashmir issue and it goes in our favour,” he said.