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Can India and Pakistan resume their bilateral cricket rivalry anytime soon? According to BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla, the decision rests entirely with the Indian government.
Shukla, who was in Lahore on an invitation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to watch the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa, made it clear that the BCCI does not have the authority to schedule a bilateral series without government approval.
“As far as you are asking about (cricket) between the two countries, it is very categorical and clear that it is the (Indian) government’s decision. Whatever the government of India says, we will go as per them,” Shukla told the Pakistan media on Wednesday (March 5).
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‘Bilateral Matches Should Be Held on Each Other’s Soil’
There has been immense fan support for an India-Pakistan series, but Shukla remained skeptical about playing such matches at a neutral venue.
“It is true that fans from both countries want the teams to play, but the BCCI policy has been, and PCB would too have such a policy, that bilateral matches should be held on each other’s soil and not at a third (or) neutral venue,” he stated.
He also highlighted that the ICC has a policy requiring government approval for bilateral cricket between the two nations, making it a complex issue beyond just cricketing relations.
“Every other country would offer to host India-Pakistan, who would not?” Shukla added.
“We (BCCI) keep our point in front of the government, but they decide after their deliberations. When the government takes a decision, it is after considering a lot of aspects. It is their internal matter.”
Shukla Dismisses Claims of India Getting ‘Unfair Advantage’ in CT 2025
Shukla also addressed allegations that India got an unfair advantage by playing all their matches at a single venue in Dubai in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
“When this decision was taken at the ICC level, it was decided that India-centric matches will be in Dubai and the rest of the matches will be in Pakistan. So, it is not a question of fair or unfair,” he explained.
He further dismissed suggestions that playing in Dubai gave India an edge, saying:
“The Indian team doesn’t depend on pitches. Even there (in Dubai), there are different kinds of pitches. The team plays on its performances, the players play on their strengths and not depend on pitches.”
Shukla’s Witty Take on the Final Venue
When asked if the Champions Trophy final would have been better off being held in Lahore, Shukla had a sharp response:
“For that, Australia should have won yesterday (Tuesday). But since they lost, the final would have to be played in Dubai.”
India will now face either South Africa or New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 final, scheduled to be played in Dubai on Sunday (March 9).
