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ICC Champions Trophy 2025:With uncertainty over the venue of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Geoff Allardice came up with an important statement. Allardice said that there are no plans to relocate the Champions Trophy 2025. which is scheduled to be played in Pakistan. As the marquee tournament inches closer, there is still no clarity on whether the Indian team will be travelling to Pakistan to participate in it. India haven’t played in Pakistan since the Asia Cup 2008 due to the tense relationships between both the countries.
The last bilateral series between both teams took place in India way back in December 2012. Since then, they have only met in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cups. During an event organised for the upcoming Women T20 World Cup in Dubai, Geoff clarified that there are no plans regarding a change in the venue for the Champions Trophy. No plans to relocate the Champions Trophy from Pakistan,” Geoff said.
Earlier this year, BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla had made it clear that India will travel to Pakistan for CT 2025 only if the central government permits for the same. In the case of the Champions 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,” Shukla had said. The Champions Trophy 2025 will feature eight elite teams including India, Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year in a hybrid model with all of India matches including against Pakistan taking place in Sri Lanka. Notably, Pakistan are the defending champions of the Champions Trophy, having lifted the title after defeating India in the final in 2017.
India Play ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan
Pakistan is all set to host the Champions Trophy in February 2025. The top seven ranked ODI teams, along with the host nation, will participate in the ICC tournament, which will return to international cricket after eight years. With BCCI setting its eye on yet another title haul after lifting the T20 World Cup last month, board secretary Jay Shah confirmedRohit Sharmaas the captain for the tournament last week. there is a possibility thatIndiamight not participate in the Champions Trophy altogether after expressing their unwillingness to travel to Pakistan.
The Champions Trophy will hold a significant position in the history of Indian cricket. Not only will it beGautam Gambhir‘s first major assignment as the new head coach of the Indian team, it could also mark the end of the white-ball careers ofVirat Kohliand Rohit, who earlier retired from the T20Is after the World Cup win in June.
India are unlikely to travel to Pakistan, who are all set to host the first global event since the 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team, for the Champions Trophy owing to the political tension between the two neighboring nations. The Indian team have not played in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup and January 2013 was the last time they played a bilateral series in any format. Since then, both nations have only clashed at ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup.
The BCCI is, hence, likely to request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to hold the tournament in either Sri Lanka or the UAE, much like what was proposed for the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup. the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had accepted a hybrid model with Pakistan and Sri Lanka jointly hosting the tournament, where India played all their matches in the island country.
What happens if India pull out of the Champions Trophy 2025?
In May 2025, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla had stated that the Indian team would only be allowed to travel to Pakistan for the ICC tournament if the central government permits it. He 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 permits us to do so. So we will go according to the decision of the Indian government.
With the Indian government unlikely to take the risk, BCCI’s hopes rest on the ICC’s decision. if the apex body expresses its unwillingness to change the tournament’s venue, India might pull out of the Champions Trophy. If India don’t participate, Sri Lanka will replace Rohit Sharma’s men in the competition. The 2002 champions missed the cut after finishing ninth in the 2023 ODI World Cup points table group stage. It is also the first time Sri Lanka did not qualify for the tournament.
Former MI coach astonishing revelation on IND skipper
Rohit Sharmahas been a force to reckon with in the past few years and has turned into one of the best in business. The star batter started his career as a middle-order batter, but he flourished when former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni gave him the chance to open the innings in 2013. With over 8000 ODI runs, Rohit has now ranked as one of the greatest openers in Indian cricket history.
He also achieved great success in the IPL, both as a skipper and a batter, with 5 titles leading Mumbai Indians and over 6,500 runs in the tournament. Former Mumbai Indians coachJonty Rhodesrecalled his early memories of working with Rohit in the IPL and asserted that he did not practise as hard as the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in the nets and didn’t have the best techniques.
“I mean he hasn’t changed at all. It’s so ridiculous. I just picture his walk when he came out to bat and he would have a few throw-downs in the nets or even shadow-hitting, it was just majestic. He didn’t practice as hard as Sachin Tendulkar. That’s for sure. Maybe he practices away from the nets at times but just his technical ability and I think he doesn’t have the best technique,” Rhodes commented in a YouTube podcast titled Aleena Dissects.
Rohit led the Indian team to the 2024 T20 World Cup trophy, ending the ICC title drought. His breathtaking starts in the powerplay made an impact, setting the platform for the side throughout the tournament.
Rohit Sharma stayed the same, true to himself
Rhodes talked about what has worked for Rohit – the batter without the best foot movement, but he still remained the same and banked on his strengths to achieve massive success. He’s being criticised for not having a lot of foot movement, but because he is so relaxed at the crease and those hands flow well. It’s been great to see him because he stayed the same, true to himself and I think that’s so important,” he added.
The Indian skipper will return to the action in the first Test match against Bangladesh September 19 at Chepauk, Chennai. Bangladesh will look to build on their recent historic Test success in Pakistan. Recently, for the first time, Bangladesh tasted the sweet flavour of victory against Pakistan in Test cricket. Najmul Shanto side completed a 2-0 whitewash over Pakistan in Rawalpindi.