Indian Skipper Rohit Sharma Likely to Visit Pakistan
According to Indian media reports, Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma will visit Pakistan next month ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
Posted - 2025-01-14T20:58:05+06:00
Updated - 2025-01-14T20:58:05+06:00
Indian captain Rohit Sharma is expected to visit Pakistan ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to attend the pre-tournament trophy photoshoot and captains’ press conference.
According to Indian media reports, Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma will visit Pakistan next month ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
Anticipation is growing for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, especially because it marks a significant return of international cricket to Pakistan. For the first time since 1996, Pakistan will host an ICC tournament, an event that brings both excitement and apprehension, especially with regard to India's participation. Against a backdrop of political tensions and security concerns, the question is: will India captain Rohit Sharma travel to Pakistan for the captains' photoshoot?
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian government have maintained their stance against the Indian team playing matches in Pakistan, ICC regulations may require Rohit to make the trip as part of the tournament's promotional activities.
The Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan, has already been marred by political tensions between the two neighboring countries. With the BCCI and the Indian government not allowing the Indian team to play in Pakistan, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a hybrid model for the tournament. Under this arrangement, India will play all its matches at a neutral venue in Dubai, while the rest of the tournament will take place in Pakistan as scheduled.
Despite this compromise, ICC rules for global tournaments require all participating captains to attend a pre-tournament press conference and a trophy photoshoot in the host country. As a result, Rohit Sharma may have to travel to Pakistan even though the Indian team is not playing any matches there.
Currently, the Indian team is focused on its white-ball series against England, where it will play three ODIs before the Champions Trophy begins.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be held from February 19 to March 9, with matches in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Dubai.