‘Whatever the Government of India will tell us to do’ - Rajeev Shukla talks about India’s Champions Trophy 2025 participation

The vice president of the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), Rajeev Shukla, has come forward and clarified the Indian team’s stance regarding travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy in 2025. Scheduled to be held from February to March 2025, the tournament will be hosted by Pakistan. 

Political tensions between India and Pakistan have severely impacted cricket relations between the two countries as well. Bilateral series between India and Pakistan have been suspended since 2012-13, with the ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup serving as the only two tournaments where both sides face off. 

It is worth noting that, due to the BCCI’s stance regarding travel to Pakistan, the Asia Cup 2023 was moved to a hybrid format, with Sri Lanka hosting some of the matches. The statement from Rajeev Shukla comes after there have been reports of India not travelling to Pakistan due to the political tensions between the two countries. 

"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 gives us permission. So we will go according to the decision of the Indian government," said Rajeev Shukla.

Recently, the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) designated Lahore as the only venue for matches of the Indian team at the Champions Trophy, as per reports. The decision was taken to avoid travel, logistical, and security hassles. According to reports, the PCB has locked three locations in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi to host the Champions Trophy. 

Furthermore, the PCB’s chairman Mohsin Naqvi earlier stated that the board had sent a draft to the ICC, revealing the tournament could be held in mid-February and March 2025, with the main agenda being the travel of the Indian team to the country.