The Champions Trophy 2025 that is set to be hosted completely by Pakistan has become a hot topic. It is the uncertainty of India’s participation at the event that has made the major ICC tournament a talking point. Given that the entire event is being hosted by Pakistan, India would be needing to visit the nation in case it takes part in the event. The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) reportedly requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to get the tournament shifted out of Pakistan or schedule India’s matches at a neutral venue, but no development has been made on those lines by the apex cricket board.

Some recent media reports stated that India would not be travelling to Pakistan. No wonder the report spread like wildfire. Keeping the sensitivity of the issue in mind, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has spoken on the matter. He has quashed all such rumours.

“We do not know which source gave such information. BCCI has not put out any official information regarding this,” Shukla told The Print.

It is worth noting that Team India has not travelled to Pakistan since 2008 Asia Cup. The political tensions between the two nations has increased over time and that sees their last bilateral series taking place way back in January 2013.

Since then, the ICC tournaments and Asia Cup are the only events where the fans get to see a match between the arch-rivals.

If the Indian team does pull out of the Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka will go through in their place, having finished 9th in the 2023 ODI World Cup standings.

Last year, Pakistan had the hosting rights for the Asia Cup 2023 but the Indian government did not give approval to the team to travel and their matches were shifted to Sri Lanka.

Gautam Gambhir has been named Indian cricket team’s next head coach, BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed on social media on Wednesday. The former India cricketer will replace Rahul Dravid whose tenure came to an end after the T20 World Cup 2024. “It is with immense pleasure that I welcome Mr @GautamGambhir as the new Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team. Modern-day cricket has evolved rapidly, and Gautam has witnessed this changing landscape up close. Having endured the grind and excelled in various roles throughout his career, I am confident that Gautam is the ideal person to steer Indian Cricket forward. His clear vision for #TeamIndia, coupled with his vast experience, positions him perfectly to take on this exciting and most sought-after coaching role. The @BCCI fully supports him as he embarks on this new journey,” Jay Shah posted from his official handle on X (formerly known as Twitter).

It is with immense pleasure that I welcome Mr @GautamGambhir as the new Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team. Modern-day cricket has evolved rapidly, and Gautam has witnessed this changing landscape up close. Having endured the grind and excelled in various roles throughout his… pic.twitter.com/bvXyP47kqJ

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) July 9, 2024

Earlier, Jay Shah also posted a message for Rahul Dravid who ended his time as the Indian cricket team head coach by winning the T20 World Cup 2024 during his final assignment.

“I express my sincere thanks and gratitude to Mr Rahul Dravid whose highly successful tenure as the Head Coach draws to a close. Under his guidance, #TeamIndia emerged as a dominant force across formats, including being crowned ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions!”

“His strategic acumen, persistent efforts to nurture talent and exemplary leadership has instilled a culture of excellence within the team and that is also the legacy his leaves behind. The Indian dressing room today is one cohesive unit standing together through challenges while revelling in each other’s success.”

India became the first team ever to win the T20 World Cup title without losing a single game. The Rohit Sharma-led side played some brilliant cricket and claimed the title by beating South Africa in the final.

A match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is something that every cricket fan would like to witness at least for once in his or her life. Such is the ambience during the game that not only the players of the two sides but also the fans feel the pressure and excitement of the contest. Given that India and Pakistan have not played each other in a bilateral series for more than a decade now due to the political tensions between the two nations, the cricket matches between the arch-rivals have become a rarity.

Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has however given the fans a glimmer of hope with his recent statement to the media. He said that there are “promising opportunities” for a potential India-Pakistan series.

“The PCB Chairman suggested that there are promising opportunities for an India-Pakistan series, not limited to playing in Australia, hinting at potential good news for cricket fans eager to see the historic rivalry revived,” wrote Cricket Pakistan while quoting Naqvi.

The news outlet also said that Naqvi has confirmed that Pakistan will host all the matches for the 2025 Champions Trophy and hinted that the chances of India’s participation in the event is going towards a positive direction.

It is worth noting that there is still no confirmation whether the Indian cricket team will travel to Pakistan if its matches are scheduled there.  

Naqvi added that the Yo-Yo test is mandatory for the Pakistan cricket team players.

“It will be necessary for the cricketers to pass the fitness test. There will be no compromise on fitness, all the fitness tests including the Yo Yo test will have to be passed. Players who do not play domestic cricket will not be able to join the national team again,” said the PCB chief.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Sunday hailed India’s epochal title win in the T20 World Cup and announced a prize money of Rs 125 crore for the team for its monumental feat in the just-concluded ICC showpiece. India defeated South Africa by seven runs in a tense final at Bridgetown, Barbados, to land their second world title in the T20 format. “Under the exceptional leadership of Rohit Sharma, this team has shown remarkable resolve and resilience, becoming the first team in the history of the ICC T20 World Cup to win the tournament unbeaten,” said Shah in a statement.

“They have faced and silenced their critics with stellar performances time and again. Their journey has been nothing short of inspirational, and today, they join the ranks of the greats.” Shah later took to social media to announce a cash reward of Rs 125 crore for the team.

“I am pleased to announce prize money of INR 125 Crores for Team India for winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024,” Shah wrote on ‘X’ “The team has showcased exceptional talent, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Congratulations to all the players, coaches, and support staff for this outstanding achievement!” Shah also lauded the team’s strong work ethics.

“This team has made us all proud with their dedication, hard work, and unyielding spirit. Led by Rohit Sharma, and ably assisted by Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and others they have fulfilled the dreams and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians,” he said in his statement.

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir is so far the front runner for the role of the head coach of the men’s national cricket team. There might not be a tough competition but the fact cannot be denied that another former India opener WV Raman is also among the consideration. If one forgets the name and compares the experience of the two, Gambhir has only served as mentor for Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders while Raman holds a vast coaching experience that ranges from domestic cricket to IPL to Indian women’s cricket team.

“The Indian cricket board must look at utilising the services of both Raman and Gambhir. There are numerous ways in which one can do that – say have Gambhir as head coach and Raman as batting coach or allow Raman to have more say in red ball. Lot of ways one can use them because both can benefit Indian cricket and that’s what one should look at,” News18 quoted a source that has been tracking developments.

“Raman has seen these youngsters grow from close quarters when he filled in as coach during different U-19 and A series. He can be your right guy to handhold these players as the side is set to undergo a massive transition in the next couple of years. That is likely to begin in T20s after the World Cup and ODIs, Tests will witness that too in next 12-15 months,” added the source.

Appearing for the first round of interviews for the role of Team India’s head coach, former cricketer Gautam Gambhir was asked some tough questions.

The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) was fully prepared to grill Gambhir and Raman as they presented their views on the role that Rahul Dravid will be leaving in a couple of weeks. While Gambhir appeared for the interview virtually, Raman was said to be physically present.