The question of whether the Indian cricket team will travel to Pakistan for the tournament has become a hot topic in the cricketing world.
With the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024, the focus of cricket enthusiasts now turns to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Set to take place in Pakistan in February-March next year, this 50-over tournament is making a comeback after an eight-year break. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is gearing up for the event, but a major hurdle stands in their way - the participation of Team India. The question of whether the Indian cricket team will travel to Pakistan for the tournament has become a hot topic in the cricketing world, with no clear answer in sight.
Given the strained political relations between India and Pakistan, cricket matches between the two nations are rare and usually limited to ICC events and Asia Cups. The last bilateral series between them occurred in 2012-13, underscoring the ongoing tensions that overshadow their cricketing rivalry.
Reports have surfaced indicating that India may opt out of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Instead, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suggested a compromise - holding India's matches in either Dubai or Sri Lanka. This proposal echoes the format used for the Asia Cup 2023, which was initially planned for Pakistan but was ultimately split between Sri Lanka and Pakistan due to India's reluctance to travel.
Unlike the Asia Cup, Pakistan is firm in its stance to host the entire Champions Trophy 2025 on home soil. They have made it clear that if India cannot participate due to political reasons, they will not be part of the tournament. The Indian cricket board has stated that their involvement hinges on government approval. Should India pull out, Sri Lanka is poised to step in as the eighth team in the competition.
Meanwhile, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla has dismissed reports claiming that India will not participate in the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. Shukla denied that the BCCI had released any information regarding the team's participation and emphasized that the decision to travel to Pakistan would ultimately rest with the Indian government.
"We do not know which source gave such information. BCCI has not put out any official information regarding this," Rajeev Shukla told The Print.
India last won the Champions Trophy in 2013 under MS Dhoni's captaincy, while Pakistan claimed the title in 2017 by defeating the Men in Blue in the final.
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 "Will India travel to Pakistan for 2025 Champions Trophy? BCCI VP Rajeev Shukla gives massive update")
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