Former India opener Aakash Chopra feels India will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Chopra believes the chances of India travelling for the tournament are too low at the moment and it could result in a hybrid model.
The 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan in February-March next year.
The three final venues for the tournament are Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi. However, the tournament is in jeopardy as India has not yet confirmed its trip to Pakistan.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already made it clear that India’s travel will depend on the country’s government’s clearance. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already started modernising the stadiums for the ICC’s big event.
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Aakash Chopra breaks silence on whether India will travel to Pakistan or not
During a podcast on Raj Shamani’s YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra was asked about India’s chances of travelling to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Chopra clearly stated that the chances are too low but maintained that the tournament can be held in a hybrid model like last year’s Asia Cup.
“Let’s be honest. The chances (of India taking part in the 2025 Champions Trophy) are very low. It can happen in Pakistan (when asked whether the Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan or not) because cricket has returned to Pakistan. There was the Asia Cup as well. It was a hybrid model. We were playing in Sri Lanka. Pakistan played their matches there, barring the match against India,” Chopra said.
The former Indian opener further mentioned that the Indian government needs to take a decision which the team will also follow. He also added that the situation in Kashmir does not make it likely for India to travel there.
“England, New Zealand and Australia went there, so the teams are going to go, but I doubt we will go. Ultimately, the go-ahead has to come from the government. It is not even in the hands of the BCCI, so they cannot decide. So, the chances of getting the go-ahead from the government are not very good. In a month or two, there will be news from Kashmir that it is not the right thing to do,” Chopra reckoned.
“India can play their matches in Dubai (if they refuse to travel). It depends on the time, whether it is in Dubai or Sri Lanka. But India might not go in person,” he added.
“India’s presence is driving the economy” – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra further stated that India’s presence is the driving force of cricket’s economy, making the tournament not possible without them. He stated that the broadcasters would not be okay with India not travelling for the tournament as a major part of the money is generated from here.
“It will be decided before the tournament. If Pakistan reaches the final, they may want to do it in Pakistan because it is the host country. But if Pakistan and India reach the final, hypothetically, India is unlikely to travel,” the former Indian batsman said.
“One thing that is not overlooked is that India’s presence is the driving force of the (cricket) economy. Some people even say that India should not come if it does not want to come. What will they do with the tournament if India does not participate? How will they generate the money?”
“From the team’s point of view, they will end up understanding that the money raised from the gate is a very small fraction. The real money comes from the broadcaster and will only come when India comes,” he added.
A total of 8 teams are participating in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and all have agreed to travel to Pakistan, except India. It will be interesting to see in the coming days how the ICC handles this situation while keeping both parties (BCCI and PCB) involved.
