A traditional captains’ meeting is set to be held in Pakistan before the Champions Trophy 2025, with all eight participating team captains expected to attend. The event is tentatively scheduled for February 17 or 18. However, uncertainty looms over the participation of India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, due to strained political relations between India and Pakistan.
India has not toured Pakistan for over a decade and has decided against travelling to the country for this tournament as well. Consequently, India’s matches, including the much-awaited clash against Pakistan on February 23, will be held in Dubai, even though Pakistan remains the designated host nation.
BCCI Yet to Receive Proposal on Rohit’s Participation
Newly-elected BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia addressed Rohit Sharma’s possible attendance at the captains’ meet, stating that the board had not received any formal request from the ICC.
“We haven’t got any such proposal. This hasn’t been part of our discussions with the ICC,” Saikia told The Telegraph. The situation remains delicate, as a source revealed that India must tread cautiously to avoid political and logistical complications. Efforts to find a balanced solution are ongoing, given Pakistan’s hosting rights for the event.
PCB Pushes for In-Person Attendance
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly emphasized to the ICC that the opening ceremony, featuring all team captains, will take place in Pakistan. According to sources, the PCB promptly issued visas to ICC delegation members visiting Pakistan, demonstrating its commitment to hosting the event successfully.
The Champions Trophy begins on February 19, and the inclusion of all captains at the opening ceremony remains a priority for the PCB. Whether India’s captain will attend in person or virtually is yet to be decided, with the ICC and BCCI navigating a complex diplomatic situation.
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