The participation of Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket captain, in the ICC’s official captains’ call in Pakistan ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy remains unclear, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
The ninth edition of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, will be hosted jointly by Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The captains’ gathering, traditionally marking the start of the tournament, is tentatively set for February 16 or 17 in Karachi. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to receive official communication from the International Cricket Council (ICC) about the event.
BCCI’s Stance on Rohit’s Travel
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, newly-appointed BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated:
“It [Rohit travelling to Pakistan] has not yet been discussed. It is not on the agenda yet.”
Strained India-Pakistan Relations
The uncertainty over Rohit’s travel reflects the broader tensions between India and Pakistan.
- India last toured Pakistan in 2008 during the Asia Cup.
- The two nations have largely played against each other in ICC events or Asia Cups since their last bilateral series in India in 2012-13.
- Pakistan’s most recent visits to India occurred during the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup.
While Indian players have refrained from official visits to Pakistan, BCCI officials have occasionally traveled for diplomatic cricket engagements. In 2023, BCCI President Roger Binny and Vice-President Rajiv Shukla attended a PCB dinner in Lahore during the Asia Cup, upon an invitation from then PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf.
Compliance with ICC Jersey Guidelines
In a separate development, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board would adhere to ICC’s jersey guidelines for the Champions Trophy. This statement comes after reports suggesting India might omit Pakistan’s name, the tournament host, from their jerseys, as India will play all their matches in the UAE.
Looking Ahead
The uncertainty over Rohit’s participation in the captains’ call adds to the intrigue surrounding the India-Pakistan dynamics in the Champions Trophy. Both teams are set to face each other on February 23 in Dubai, in one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament.
The ICC’s decision on the captains’ call will likely reflect its approach to managing cricketing events amidst geopolitical challenges.