BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla has hinted that the Indian cricket team could travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, provided they receive government approval. Shukla’s comments came during an event for the Uttar Pradesh Premier League, where he stated that India’s participation depends on the Indian government’s stance.
He also mentioned that if India decides against the tour, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) might retaliate, potentially impacting their participation in future tournaments, including the 2026 ODI World Cup, which is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
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The ICC Champions Trophy is set to take place in Pakistan from February to March 2025. However, there are ongoing discussions regarding the venue and the format, with the BCCI supporting a hybrid or neutral venue, while the PCB insists on hosting the entire event in Pakistan.
Reports suggest that the BCCI is in talks with the Indian government to secure approval. If the government denies permission, the BCCI has indicated that the ICC may need to move matches to a neutral location. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial, as the current political and logistical considerations could impact the future of cricketing events between the two nations.