India-Pakistan Tests at Neutral Sites: Rohit Sharma Says “Why Not”

The long-standing rivalry between India and Pakistan has captivated cricket fans all over the world for many years. With the last Test match played in 2007, bilateral series between the two titans of cricket have proven challenging to host in recent years.

In the meantime, Indian captain Rohit Sharma has started the discussion by stating that he would want to see the two sides play a Test series at a neutral location. Speaking on the Club Prairie Fire podcast, Rohit indicated how excited he was to watch an India-Pakistan Test series, calling it a fantastic competition between the two teams.

They have an excellent bowling lineup, a strong squad, and a solid matchup if we play abroad, in my opinion. In 2007–08, the last Test match was played, according to Rohit.

The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru hosted the two countries’ most recent Test match, which took place in December 2007. But the horrifying terror attacks that occurred in Mumbai in November 2008 escalated the political hostilities between the neighbors. The Indian government, which has not yet approved such interactions, has the final say over any decision regarding cricket engagement with Pakistan, according to the BCCI’s stance since then.

Pakistan has been vigorously promoting the start of bilateral cricket matches and has brought up the matter at a number of ICC conferences. Since the BCCI could not send the Indian team to play in Pakistan, the Asia Cup of the previous year had to be conducted under a hybrid format, with all of India’s planned games being moved to Sri Lanka.

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One further point of friction between the two countries is likely to be the Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to take place in Pakistan. According to its statement, the ICC will not compel any member state to disobey its government’s advice.

Even with the current political unrest, Rohit thinks that a Test series between Pakistan and India in a neutral location would be exciting for cricket fans.

“Yes, it would be an amazing match between the two teams, and I would love to play against Pakistan.” I’m looking at pure cricket here; it’s a terrific contest, so why not play them in the ICC trophies? He went on.

With Rohit occupied with the ongoing IPL 2024, the Pakistani team is preparing for the next five-match Twenty20 International series against New Zealand. Next up in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in New York on June 9 is India versus Pakistan