'Cricket shouldn't come before our country's stand' - Shikhar Dhawan on whether India should travel to Pakistan

Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has supported India's decision to not travel to Pakistan to play in the forthcoming Champions Trophy 2025. The 39-year-old stated that the sport should never take precedence over the country's stance on national security.

Political tension between India and Pakistan has meant that bilateral ties between the two countries have stopped taking place for well over a decade. India have not visited Pakistan to play cricket since 2008. However, the Men in Green have travelled to their neighbouring country to play ICC events like the 2016 T20 World Cup and 2023 ODI World Cup.

After India decided not to visit Pakistan to play the 2025 Champions Trophy, the ICC decided to host the tournament in a hybrid model. This allows the Rohit Sharma-led side to play its matches in Dubai. Dhawan was asked whether India should visit Pakistan to play cricket. The left-handed batter was quite clear in his reply.

"No, I don't think so. Cricket shouldn't come before our country's stand. Until terrorism ends, there should be no cricket in Pakistan," Dhawan said on ANI podcast.

Dhawan also explained that the decision to go to Pakistan or not completely rests in the hands of the Indian government. Players do not have any control in this regard.

"First, the government needs to be on the same page. Then it comes down to the cricket boards, and finally to the players. Players don't have much say in these matters. If our country has taken a stand that we will not play in Pakistan, then we stand by it," he said.

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After whitewashing England in an ODI series earlier this month, India will be entering the Champions Trophy beaming with confidence. They are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. The Men in Blue start their campaign on February 20, when they take on Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.