BCCI reacts to reports about Rohit Sharma's expected visit to Pakistan

India have to find compromise formula to solve crisis since Pakistan to enjoy certain benefits by virtue of being hosts, says BCCI

Sohail Imran

January 17, 2025

India’s Rohit Sharma in action during a match on March 7, 2024. — Reuters

Reacting to media reports related to Men in Blue’s longer formats Captain Rohit Sharma’s visit to Pakistan ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) newly-elected secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that the board did not receive any such proposal.

Indian media reported earlier this month that the captain of their national men’s team, Sharma, is likely to cross the border for events leading up to the tournament.

The events will include an all-captains photo shoot and a press conference where skippers will share their expectations for the tournament.

For the Champions Trophy, all eight participating captains are scheduled to participate in this event organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

However, as per the latest development, Saikia revealed that the BCCI did not receive any such proposal and also that it was not part of the board’s discussions with the apex cricketing body.

"We haven't got any such proposal. This hasn't been part of our discussions with the ICC," Saikia told an Indian newspaper.

"This is a very delicate situation and every step has to be taken after judging its repercussions. India have to find a compromise formula to solve the crisis since Pakistan will enjoy certain benefits by virtue of being the hosts."

The eight-team tournament will take place from February 19 to March 9, spanning three Pakistan venues—Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi—and Dubai.

The tournament features 15 matches, with the participating teams divided into two groups.

Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh

Group B: Afghanistan, South Africa, England and Australia

Hosts Pakistan will face New Zealand in the opening match on February 19 in Karachi.

India’s first match is scheduled against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai, while the highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is set for February 23, also in Dubai.