Pakistan is poised to host the prestigious Champions Trophy in 2025. The tournament will feature the top seven ranked ODI teams, in addition to the host nation, marking the return of international cricket after an eight-year hiatus. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has its sights set on adding another title to its collection, following their recent triumph in the T20 World Cup. Board Secretary Jay Shah recently confirmed Rohit Sharma as the captain for the upcoming tournament. However, there is a possibility that India may opt out of participating in the Champions Trophy altogether, citing concerns about traveling to Pakistan.
The Champions Trophy holds a significant place in the history of Indian cricket, as it marks Gautam Gambhir's first major assignment as the new head coach of the Indian team. Additionally, it could potentially signal the end of the white-ball careers of Virat Kohli and Rohit, who retired from T20Is following the World Cup win in June.
Despite the importance of the tournament, India is unlikely to travel to Pakistan, who are set to host their first global event since the 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team. The political tension between the two neighboring nations has prevented India from playing in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, with the last bilateral series taking place in January 2013. Subsequently, India and Pakistan have only faced each other in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate the tournament to either Sri Lanka or the UAE, similar to the proposed plan for the 2023 Asia Cup. However, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had previously agreed to a hybrid model with Pakistan and Sri Lanka co-hosting the tournament, with India playing all their matches in Sri Lanka.
Earlier, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla stated that the Indian team would only travel to Pakistan for the ICC tournament if approved by the central government. He emphasized that the team would adhere to the decisions of the Indian government, stating, "In the case of the Champions Trophy, we will follow the directives of the Government of India. We will only send our team when permitted to do so. Our actions will align with the decisions of the Indian government."
What happens if India refuse to travel to Pakistan?
The Indian government is hesitant to take the risk, so the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is relying on the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision. However, if the ICC decides not to change the tournament's venue, India may withdraw from the Champions Trophy.
If India chooses not to participate, Sri Lanka will step in to replace Rohit Sharma's team in the competition. The 2002 champions failed to qualify after finishing ninth in the group stage of the 2023 ODI World Cup points table. This marks the first time Sri Lanka has not qualified for the tournament.
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