The uncertainty surrounding India’s participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan, has been a topic of discussion for several months. Recently, Rajeev Shukla, the vice president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), addressed the issue, providing some clarity. When questioned about whether India would travel to Pakistan, Shukla made it clear that the final decision would rest with the Indian government.
He emphasized that, as a standard policy, the BCCI always seeks government approval for international tours. According to Shukla, “No decision has been taken yet, and it is up to the government to decide whether our team should travel to any country.” He also mentioned that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has not set any deadline for the BCCI to confirm its stance on the matter.
IPL 2025 Mega-Auction Insights
In addition to discussing the Champions Trophy, Rajeev Shukla also provided insights into the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega-auction. Shukla, a former chairperson of the IPL, revealed that the auction is likely to take place at the end of November 2024, and the venue is yet to be finalized.
He explained that while hosting the event in India is an option, holding it abroad is also under consideration. “Last time, the auction was held in Dubai, and international audiences thoroughly enjoyed the event,” Shukla added.
India-Pakistan Cricket Relations
India and Pakistan have only faced each other in recent years during major international tournaments. The last time India toured Pakistan was in 2008, before the Mumbai terror attacks. Since then, bilateral series between the two nations have ceased, with matches only taking place during global cricketing events.
Last year, Pakistan visited India for the ICC Men’s World Cup after a gap of seven years. Despite calls from several former cricketers to separate politics from sports, the strained relations between the two countries continue to influence cricketing decisions.
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