India's participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan, has become a subject of intense speculation. Recent reports suggest that the Indian government may not grant clearance for the team to travel to Pakistan, raising doubts about India's presence at the tournament.
This issue stems from the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan. In 2023, India declined to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, with their matches being played in Sri Lanka instead. Similar concerns have been raised regarding the Champions Trophy.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to make an official statement on the matter. However, BCCI vice president Rajiv Shukla has denied rumors that India will not travel to Pakistan, stating that the board has not yet discussed the issue.
Amidst the uncertainty, a video of former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh expressing his views on the matter has resurfaced. In an interview with Pakistani TV channel ARY News, Singh asserted that India would not send its team to Pakistan if the players' safety could not be guaranteed. He also emphasized that Indian cricket could survive without Pakistan's participation.
On the other hand, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has maintained that India should honor Pakistan's hosting rights and travel to the country for the Champions Trophy. He pointed out that India's kabaddi and tennis teams have recently played tournaments in Pakistan, indicating that the Indian government cannot selectively choose which sports to participate in.
The ICC is expected to address the issue at its upcoming general meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The outcome of this meeting will likely determine India's participation in the Champions Trophy.
Tags: #ICCChampionsTrophy, #IndiaPakistanCricket, #HarbhajanSingh, #SalmanButt, #BCCI
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