India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 remains uncertain due to strained relations between India and Pakistan. The Indian team has decided not to travel to Pakistan for the event and will request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to schedule their matches in Sri Lanka or Dubai, according to a BCCI source speaking to ANI. The tournament is set to take place in Pakistan from February to March 2025. India has not played any cricket tournaments in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup due to ongoing tensions. The last bilateral series between the two countries occurred from December 2012 to January 2013 in India. Since then, they have only faced each other in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had proposed that India play all their matches in one city, reportedly Lahore, as per ESPNcricinfo. However, the Indian board is not keen on traveling to Pakistan. A BCCI source confirmed to ANI, “India will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. We will request the ICC to hold our matches in Dubai or Sri Lanka.”
BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla stated in May that the Indian team would only travel to Pakistan if the central government permitted it. “For the Champions Trophy, we will follow the Government of India’s instructions. We send our team only with government approval, and we will adhere to their decision,” Shukla told ANI.
A similar situation arose during last year’s Asia Cup, which was scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan. The PCB had to implement a hybrid model, hosting all of India’s matches, including those against Pakistan, in Sri Lanka. The final, which India won, was held in Colombo. Although Pakistan had considered a hybrid model for the ODI World Cup in India last year, the idea was ultimately not pursued.
Currently, Pakistan is the defending champion of the Champions Trophy, having last won the tournament in 2017.
