The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice president, Rajeev Shukla, has made it clear that the team’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to take place in Pakistan in February and March of 2025, is subject to receiving approval from the national government.
India’s Participation in ICC Champions Trophy
The announcement coincides with rumors that India would not participate in the competition. Since 2008, when the Asia Cup was held, the relationship between India and Pakistan in cricket has been greatly affected by tensions between the two countries.
From December 2012 to January 2013, Ind/Pak did not play a bilateral series; instead, their cricket matches are played primarily in the Asia Cup and ICC competitions. The current state of relations between the two nations in terms of security and diplomacy will play a role in whether or not the Indian squad travels to Pakistan to compete in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Given the history of strained relations and security concerns, any decision regarding their participation will be subject to careful consideration and consultation with relevant authorities.
Speaking to the ANI, Shukla 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 the government.”
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PCB’s Decision
While facilitating the Asia Cup last year, Pakistan utilized a cross-breed methodology due to strategic and security concerns. Curiously, Sri Lanka facilitated India’s games, including any against Pakistan. This choice was made to guarantee the smooth running of the opposition while tending to security and discretionary worries.
Contrastingly, when it came to the possibility of adopting a similar hybrid approach for the ODI World Cup hosted by India the previous year, Pakistan did not seriously consider such a strategy.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has designated Lahore as the only location for their matches for the Champions Trophy that Pakistan has been awarded for the next year, as ESPNcricinfo reported earlier in May. According to ESPNcricinfo, PCB has locked three locations—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi—to host the two-week Champions Trophy.
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India’s Singular Venue in ICC Champions Trophy
India’s draft schedule calls for them to play all of their games at Lahore, which is also the location of the final. It is said that the idea of putting them in a single place was put forward to avoid potentially significant logistical and security issues related to their travel. Additionally, it gives Indian fans a comparatively easier choice to visit because it is headquartered in Lahore, which is near the Wagah border crossing between the two countries.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said earlier that the board had sent a draft schedule of the tournament, likely to be staged in mid-February next year, to the ICC. Discussions on it involving the eight participating members will take place, with the major sticking point likely to be whether the India team travels or not.
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