Champions Trophy 2025 / BCCI's clear stand on Champions Trophy, it is difficult for Team India to go to Pakistan

Champions Trophy 2025: There is an atmosphere of uncertainty about the Champions Trophy 2025. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given the hosting of this tournament to Pakistan, but there is very little chance that the Indian cricket team will tour Pakistan. Bilateral cricket relations between India and Pakistan have been suspended for a long time due to political and security issues, and the same circumstances remain this time too. However, the recent statement of BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) Vice President Rajiv Shukla has made the situation even more complicated.

Rajiv Shukla's big statement: No decision yet

During the ongoing Test match between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur, Rajiv Shukla was questioned about the Champions Trophy 2025. He clarified that the BCCI has not yet taken any final decision on this matter. He said, "Our policy is that we take permission from the Government of India for international tours. It is the government that decides whether our team will visit a country or not." With this statement of Rajiv Shukla, it has become clear that the final decision on this issue will be in the hands of the government, and at present the tour of Team India to Pakistan is not fixed.

India-Pakistan: Crack in bilateral cricket relations

There has been no bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan for the last several years. Matches are held between the two countries only in ICC or ACC tournaments. The bilateral series was postponed due to political tensions between the two countries since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. However, the Pakistani team came to India during the ODI World Cup held in India in 2023, but it was a tournament organized by the ICC.

Pakistan has got the hosting of the ICC tournament after a long time, and in such a situation, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants the tournament to be organized entirely in Pakistan. But due to India's security and political concerns, the Indian team going to Pakistan seems difficult at the moment.

Hybrid model: A possible solution?

If India refuses to play in Pakistan, the tournament can be organized on a hybrid model. Earlier, a similar thing happened during the 2023 Asia Cup, when India played its matches in Sri Lanka instead of Pakistan. Now for the Champions Trophy too, the BCCI may demand hosting of matches in Sri Lanka or Dubai. Although the PCB will try its best to ensure that the Champions Trophy is held entirely in Pakistan, but given the current circumstances, this seems unlikely.

Who will have the final say?

At present, the BCCI has not taken any final decision on this issue. It is clear that the Indian team will not tour Pakistan without the approval of the Indian government. In this context, there will be further discussions on this issue between the two countries in the coming months. As the time for hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 is getting closer, it will become necessary to resolve this issue soon.

Conclusion

The situation between India and Pakistan remains tense over the hosting of the Champions Trophy 2025. While the PCB wants to host the tournament in its country, the Indian team's tour of Pakistan remains uncertain due to India's security and political concerns. The decision of the BCCI and the Indian Government is awaited, which will decide how the Champions Trophy 2025 will be organised and what will be India's role in it.