Champions Trophy 2025: Why India’s jersey making global headlines ahead of mega ICC event?

On February 19, the ICC Champions Trophy (CT 2025) will get underway, with the first game taking place in Karachi. However, due to security concerns, Team India declined to play their matches in Pakistan. All of their games, including the match against Pakistan on February 23, will instead be played in Dubai by the Men in Blue. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed dissatisfaction with the BCCI’s (Board of Control for Cricket in India) treatment of specific protocols, which has resulted in conflicting responses to this decision.

Ahead to the CT 2025, however, a recent statement made by a PCB executive has sparked a new controversy. According to certain sources, India is not interested in adhering to the ICC tradition and wants to keep Pakistan’s name off of their tournament jersey. A PCB officer has charged that the BCCI is using cricket as a political platform. Additionally, the Pakistani cricket regulating body reportedly obtained all required approvals from the Pakistani government in order to provide Indian players, administrators, and board members visas.

Politics is being introduced into cricket by the BCCI, which is completely detrimental to the sport. They would not go to Pakistan. It has been reported that they do not want the name of the host country (Pakistan) to be printed on their shirt, and they do not want to send their captain to Pakistan for the opening ceremony. According to News18, a PCB official stated, “We are confident that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will stop this from happening and will stand by Pakistan.”

Rohit or any other Indian team member or board official is included in this: Source of PCB

Rohit Sharma, the captain of Team India, may not attend the opening ceremony in Pakistan, in a different topic. These ceremonies typically involve pre-event press conferences and photo ops with all of the captains. Although the BCCI has not formally acknowledged this, the PCB has voiced its disapproval and emphasised that the ceremony, which is set on February 16 or 17, will adhere to established procedures.

Since the Champions Trophy opening ceremony is an essential component of the competition, the Pakistani board has demanded that the ICC provide equal treatment for all teams. In order to manage its hosting responsibilities and welcome all teams, the governing body is working.

This applies to Rohit and all other Indian team members, officials, and board members. According to the source, this is in accordance with standard procedure, and because the opening match is scheduled for the 19th, the opening ceremony is anticipated to take place on the 16th or 17th.

Regarding Rohit Sharma’s travel schedule and the shirt scandal, the BCCI has not yet spoken. India’s campaign will begin on February 20 in Dubai against Bangladesh, then on February 23 against bitter rivals Pakistan, and finally on March 2 against New Zealand.