Amidst the uncertainty over Team India's participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 hosted by Pakistan, captain Rohit Sharma has broken in silence on the matter.
The Indian captain clarified that while his team is willing to participate in any competition for the country anywhere around the globe, the decision-making power rests with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The players got no say in matters as such, Rohit said.
“The decision is not in our hands. It will be made by the cricket boards, and we are focused on the tournament ahead... If we are sent to Pakistan, there will be no issue,” 'The Hitman' told the press.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025, a round-robin tournament, is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9. In the backdrop of the estranged relationship between India and Pakistan, the BCCI reportedly informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that India's participation depends on government guidance.
Instead of travelling to Pakistan, India is batting for a 'Hybrid Model' of the tournament where the Men In Blue get to play their fixtures elsewhere. However, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi openly declared that the entire tournament will be hosted by Pakistan as decided and no alternate setups are agreeable. "Till today, no one has discussed any 'Hybrid Model' with us nor are we willing to talk about it. But we have been showing good gestures for the last few years and no one should expect us to do it all the time," Naqvi told reporters.
The last time India travelled to Pakistan was in 2008 for the Asia Cup but since 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in that same year, the national team hasn't toured the neighbouring country.
The ICC's stand has always been that they don't interfere in a particular country's government policy. From December 1, BCCI's outgoing secretary Jay Shah will be the head of the global body.