BCCI confirms that Rohit Sharma will not go to Pakistan for photoshoot
In a significant development ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Team India captain Rohit Sharma may not be present at the pre-tournament photo shoot and press conference in Pakistan.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that Rohit Sharma will not travel to Pakistan for the opening ceremony of the tournament.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates from February 19 to March 9. Pakistan’s matches will be played in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, while India will play all their matches in Dubai, including the finals. India and Pakistan will meet in Dubai on February 23.
BCCI has confirmed that Rohit Sharma will not go to Pakistan for the shoot
The host nation typically organizes a key event with all participating team captains. This will include a photo shoot and press conference where the captains will share their thoughts on the upcoming tournament. All eight captains, including Rohit Sharma, are expected to attend this event for the Champions Trophy.
According to a report in The Times of India, the board has asked the ICC to move the scheduled fixtures from Pakistan to Dubai shortly before the start of the tournament.
“ICC has already accepted India’s request not to schedule Pakistan’s CT matches, so these are minor issues,” the source said on Tuesday.
Rohit Sharma’s India don’t want Pakistan’s name on their jerseys.
The BCCI has also instructed the players not to wear jerseys with Pakistan’s name on them. PCB is unhappy with BCCI’s action and is seeking intervention from ICC. A PCB official expressed his concern, accusing the BCCI of bringing politics into cricket and saying the ICC would not allow it.
“BCCI is bringing politics into cricket, which is not good for the game. They have refused to travel to Pakistan. They do not want to send the captain (to Pakistan) for the opening ceremony. Now there are reports. We do not want the name of the host country (Pakistan) to be printed on the jersey.
India have been drawn against Pakistan in Group A to clinch the Champions Trophy.
In the year In the 2022 Asia Cup, India and Pakistan wore jerseys with the logo “Sri Lanka” as the tournament was played in the United Arab Emirates due to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis. But in the 2023 edition, the host nation (Pakistan) was not featured on the jersey as the event was played in a mixed model.
For the upcoming Champions Trophy, India have been drawn in Group A along with Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand. India will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. India finished second in the 2017 Champions Trophy and suffered a 180-run defeat by Pakistan in the final.
Also Read: Michael Vaughan predicts India vs England series scoreline
