Team India won't participate in Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan unless Government allows: BCCI Vice-President
Champions Trophy 2025: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice-President Rajiv Shukla, in his recent interview, clarified that Team India won't participate in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan unless the Government of India allows them. The next edition of the Champions Trophy is set to be held in Pakistan in 2025.
This comes as a massive statement from the BCCI vice-president, as Pakistan seeks BCCI's position on travelling to Pakistan for the event.
Speaking to ANI, Rajiv Shukla, BCCI vice-president, said, "In the case of the Champion Trophy, we will do whatever the Government of India will tell us to do. We send our team only when the Government of India gives us permission. So we will go according to the decision of the Indian government."
Team India's participation chances appear to be meek in the Champions Trophy 2025, given the Indian government's unwavering stance on the issue. Often the BCCI has iterated that the team won't travel to Pakistan, who continue to enjoy cross-border terrorism.
Team India has already pushed for a neutral venue for the Champions Trophy for its matches, while the rest can be scheduled in Pakistan. However, the PCB has outrightly rejected the idea, unlike it did during the Asia Cup 2023, which was held in Sri Lanka and Pakistan following India's protest.
Notably, the Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to be held in the month of February-March in Pakistan. The PCB has already sent the initial blueprint of the fixtures to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
It was reported that the PCB has earmarked Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi as the three venues for the 50-over tournament. Lahore has, reportedly, been chosen to host all the fixtures relating to Team India, including the most anticipated India vs Pakistan.
Lahore, being the close to the border will felicitate smooth travel of the Indian visitors, if they wish to attend the fixtures. Moreover, there won't be any big logistical issue for the team.
The venues in Pakistan are also getting their makeovers done before the Champions Trophy 2025 to host the multi-nation event, which is slated to run from mid-February to early March.
PCB chief Moshin Naqvi recently announced that the cricket board has submitted the preliminary schedule to the ICC. The complete schedule for the Champions Trophy 2025 will be revealed in the due time, after getting confirmation from the ICC.
