The Indian Cricket Team last visited Pakistan way back in the 2008 Asia Cup. Adding fuel to the fire, what has been reportedly cited as the prime reason for the same is the soaring political tensions between the two neighboring countries. Being better informed about what lies ahead for Indian cricket in the future is the best event.
Next up is going to be the ICC Champions Trophy to be hosted in Pakistan in February 2025, which without much dispute stands out of the hot oven for Gautam Gambhir right after assuming the mantle of head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team. This, too, might turn out to be the last white-ball competition, even for captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as well.
India’s Demand To Change Champions Trophy Venue
One of the mega events that will occur is the ICC Champions Trophy, not only for the fans of this game but also for all of Indian cricket. Probably for the last time, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be taking on the field in white-ball cricket; both of them announced their retirement from T20Is last month following their victory in the World Cup in Barbados. It thus makes the event extra special and memorable in the annals of Indian cricket.
For the past few days, there has been a rumor mill hammering on whether India would visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. There was even speculation that India would be asking the ICC to either shift the venue or have all their matches of the tournament in a neutral country. The rumor mill finally tied itself up to India pulling out or not if the ICC does not concede to them. Rajeev Shukla said:
Mere speculation dismissed the reports. We do not know which source gave such information. BCCI has not put out any official information regarding this.
According to him, not a single official statement regarding the same has been released by the governing body.
The reason for not visiting Pakistan since 2008 by the Indian cricket team was the Asia Cup, and relations between the two nations have become strained. The last bilateral series between the two nations took place in early 2013. Since then, India and Pakistan have only met in multi-nation events and avoided direct tours to each other’s countries.
The Example of the Asia Cup
The whole Asia Cup was supposed to be held in Pakistan in 2023. However, the BCCI was not interested in sending the Indian team to Pakistan. So, more or less, the Asian Cricket Council adopted the hybrid model. All of India’s matches and the final were held in Sri Lanka rather than Pakistan.
The decision about playing in the Champions Trophy would be taken by the Indian government,” Rajeev Shukla has claimed. So, in the case of the Champions Trophy, we will do whatever the Government of India tells us to do. We send our team only when the Government of India permits us to do so. So we shall go according to the decision of the Indian government.
If India Withdraws, that is where Sri Lanka comes in to replace. The big one, coming ahead for Indian cricket, would be the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. The series will strangely be special because it is going to be the last display of white-ball games by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Speculations have been going around that India is to participate, but the BCCI wants to underline the fact that no such decision has been taken yet. All it requires is final approval from the government of India. The cricket world is waiting for the situation to unravel. A desirable scenario would evolve in which, whatever the result of the contest, the tournament was historic.
