Rohit Sharma responds 'why not' to India-Pakistan Tests at neutral venues

The age-old rivalry between India and Pakistan has engaged cricket fans across the globe for decades. However, bilateral series between the two cricketing giants have remained difficult to host in recent times, with the last Test match played way back in 2007.

Meanwhile, the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has initiated the debate, voicing his desire to see the two teams clash in a Test series at a neutral venue. Speaking on the Club Prairie Fire podcast show, Rohit expressed his eagerness to witness an India-Pakistan Test series, describing it as a great contest between the two sides. 

“I believe that they are a good team, superb bowling line-up, good contest, if we play overseas. The last Test was played way back in 2007-08,” Rohit said.

The last time the two teams met played a Test was back in December 2007, played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. However, horrific terror attacks in Mumbai, in November 2008 increased the political tensions between the neighbours. Since then, the BCCI has maintained that any decision on cricketing engagement with Pakistan will depend on the approval of the Indian government, which has so far not permitted such interactions.

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Pakistan have been actively pushing for the resumption of bilateral cricket, even raising the issue at various ICC forums. Last year, the Asia Cup had to be held in a hybrid model, with all of India's scheduled games being relocated to Sri Lanka, as the BCCI to send the team to play in Pakistan.

The upcoming Champions Trophy, set to be held in Pakistan, is expected to be another bone of contention between the two nations. The ICC has stated that it will not force any member nation to disregard their government's advisory.

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Despite the political tensions, Rohit believes that a Test series between India and Pakistan at a neutral venue would be a great contest for cricket fans.

“Yeah, I would love to (play against Pakistan), it would be a great contest between two sides. We play them in ICC trophies, pure cricket I am looking at, great contest, so why not?” he added.

While Rohit is currently busy playing the ongoing IPL 2024, the Pakistani side is gearing up for the five-match T20I series with New Zealand. India will face Pakistan next in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in New York on June 09.