NEW DELHI: Senior Indian sports journalist Vikrant Gupta has suggested that it is highly unlikely that the Indian cricket team will travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for 2025.
In a widely circulated video discussion, Gupta suggested that the tournament could be run on a hybrid model, with a substantial portion of the matches being played at neutral venues.
A renowned journalist said that the participation of the Indian team in Pakistan was “99.9%” unlikely, citing lingering security concerns and diplomatic sensitivities.
He emphasized that the International Cricket Council (ICC) must come up with a workable solution similar to the arrangements for the Asia Cup.
“Given the complexity and time constraints, it seems unlikely that India will travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy,” Gupta said. “The ICC will have to explore alternative arrangements as the situation is significantly different from the Asia Cup, where there have been several complaints about venue changes.”
Sri Lanka and Dubai are rumored to be being considered as potential venues for the Asian Cup. Gupta mentioned that although Sri Lanka was initially selected because of the intense heat in Dubai, the weather in Dubai may now be more favorable, making it a viable option for the tournament.
Earlier, Rajeev Shukla, vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), dismissed claims that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy next year. Clarifying to ThePrint over the phone, Shukla said, “We do not know which source provided such information. BCCI has not released any official information about it.”
