As the date for the 2025 Champions Trophy gets closer, it still remains unclear whether Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will travel to Pakistan for the captains’ event scheduled ahead of the tournament. This pre-tournament event, which the ICC organizes in the host country every time, is scheduled to be held in Karachi on February 16 or 17. But, so far, the BCCI has not received any official notification from the ICC on this subject.
No Word from ICC About Rohit Sharma’s Participation
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NEWLY appointed BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia revealed that talk on Rohit Sharma’s reported visit to Pakistan hasn’t actually been held as of yet, “This has not been discussed. It hasn’t come onto the agenda as of yet. The lack of clarity over if Sharma’s involvement in the event as a cricketing captain would fall under the same guidelines as Bishnoi being in Pakistan now creates another puzzle piece to put in place regarding this whole thing.
India and Pakistan have had a fraught political relationship for several years, which has led to the suspension of bilateral cricket series since 2012. Although both countries regularly face each other in ICC events, India has not played a cricket match in Pakistan since 2008. The question of whether Indian players can travel to Pakistan remains sensitive, and any decision would likely require careful consideration of both political and logistical factors.
Hybrid Model for Champions Trophy
Given the strained political relationship, the BCCI had already made it clear that it would not allow the Indian team to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. As a result, the ICC decided to organize the tournament using a hybrid model. Under this arrangement, India will play all its matches in Dubai, while the rest of the tournament will take place in Pakistan.
This hybrid model, which was agreed upon after consultations between the ICC and the BCCI, will also apply to other ICC tournaments involving India and Pakistan until at least 2027. The model ensures that Indian teams will not have to travel to Pakistan for matches, while still participating in the tournament.
No Recent Precedent for Indian Players Visiting Pakistan
There is no recent precedent of an Indian cricketer visiting Pakistan for an official tournament or event. However, BCCI President Roger Binny and Vice President Rajiv Shukla did visit Pakistan during the 2023 Asia Cup, where they were invited for a dinner by the then-President of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Zaka Ashraf. This visit was a significant step in diplomatic cricket relations between the two countries, though it was not related to player participation.
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The PCB has requested the ICC to ensure the attendance of all captains for the photo session, opening ceremony, and other pre-tournament events. However, the ICC is still finalizing the dates and travel logistics for the teams, and as of now, no concrete plans have been put in place for the captains’ event in Karachi.
Captains’ Event Alternatives: The ICC’s Flexible Approach
It’s worth noting that the ICC opted for an alternative approach before the 2024 T20 World Cup, which was co-hosted by the West Indies and the USA. In lieu of a traditional captains’ program, the ICC organized a unique event through a lighting projection show, where images of all 20 captains were displayed on the Rockefeller Center building in New York. This innovation allowed the ICC to maintain the ceremonial aspect of the tournament without requiring the physical presence of the captains from every participating nation.
The 2025 Champions Trophy, however, will likely follow a more traditional format, with the possibility for teams to participate in two practice matches once they arrive. The specific details of the captains’ event in Pakistan will depend on final confirmations from the ICC regarding the logistics and dates.
BCCI’s Position on Uniform Rules
Meanwhile, speculation had surfaced in the media about BCCI’s stance on the ICC’s uniform regulations, particularly regarding the display of the host country’s logo on the team jerseys. Some reports suggested that BCCI had raised objections to this requirement. However, Devjit Saikia dismissed these rumors, confirming that BCCI would comply with all ICC uniform rules for the Champions Trophy.
In a statement to PTI, Saikia clarified, “BCCI will follow all ICC uniform rules in the Champions Trophy. Whatever other teams do regarding dress and logo, we will also follow the same.” This statement reassured that the Indian team would adhere to the standard ICC dress code, which typically includes the tournament logo along with the host country and the year of the event printed on the jerseys.
As the Champions Trophy approaches, the situation surrounding Rohit Sharma’s potential visit to Pakistan remains uncertain. While the BCCI has yet to receive formal communication from the ICC about the captains’ event, the political complexities and logistical considerations surrounding such a visit are evident.
India’s participation in the tournament will follow the hybrid model, ensuring the team plays in Dubai, but the final details regarding the captains’ event in Karachi are still being worked out. Regardless, the BCCI’s commitment to adhering to ICC regulations, including uniform rules, ensures that the Indian team will be fully prepared for the tournament.
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