Summary:
- India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to be held in Pakistan, remains uncertain.
- BCCI Secretary Jay Shah stated that no final decision has been made and the team’s participation depends on government approval.
- The tournament will be hosted in three Pakistani cities, with significant stadium upgrades planned.
As Pakistan intensifies its preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for February 2025, uncertainty lingers over India’s participation in the tournament. Jay Shah, Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), addressed the matter in a recent interview, indicating that a final decision on India’s involvement has not yet been made.
The Champions Trophy will see matches played in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore, with the proposed schedule suggesting that all of India’s games will be held in Lahore. Despite the excitement surrounding the tournament’s return after an eight-year hiatus—its last edition in 2017 saw Pakistan defeat India in the final—the BCCI is still awaiting government approval before committing to the event.
Shah noted that the BCCI has not yet taken a definitive stand, saying, “No stand as of now. We will cross the bridge when it comes.” This statement underscores the ongoing discussions and the need for official clearance from the Indian government.
In preparation for the tournament, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has allocated Rs12.80 billion for upgrading key stadiums, including Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Karachi’s National Bank Cricket Arena, and Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium. While all participating teams, except India, have previously played in Pakistan, the PCB believes there is no substantial reason for India to abstain from the event.
The ICC Champions Trophy is set to run from February 19 to March 9, 2025, promising a highly anticipated return of the prestigious cricket tournament.
