Rajeev Shukla Clarifies BCCI’s Stance on India vs Pakistan Match in Champions Trophy
Rajeev Shukla, Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and a Congress leader, has emphasized that the BCCI will follow the Indian government’s directives regarding the venues for the upcoming Champions Trophy, including the potential India vs Pakistan match. Shukla stated, “We are very clear about it, and it’s our policy that whatever the government asks us to do, whatever direction it gives, we will follow it.”
This statement highlights the BCCI’s commitment to aligning its decisions with the government’s stance. Earlier, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah condemned the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to include Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in the Champions Trophy trophy tour, urging the ICC to take action due to concerns over territorial integrity and political interference in sports.
The PCB announced that the trophy tour will start in Islamabad and include locations in PoJK. Shah raised the issue with the ICC, expressing India’s disapproval and calling for intervention. The PCB’s announcement has raised concerns about India’s participation in the Champions Trophy, as India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13.
Geo News reported that the PCB sought clarification from the ICC on India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, citing security concerns. The ICC confirmed that India will not travel to Pakistan, and the PCB is preparing to present its stance. The BCCI informed the ICC that the Indian government advised against visiting Pakistan, suggesting a hybrid model where India’s matches are held at a neutral venue.
Doubts Revealed
Rajeev Shukla -: Rajeev Shukla is a well-known Indian politician and cricket administrator. He is the Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which is the governing body for cricket in India.
BCCI -: BCCI stands for the Board of Control for Cricket in India. It is the organization that manages cricket in India, including organizing matches and tournaments.
Champions Trophy -: The Champions Trophy is a major international cricket tournament where top cricketing nations compete. It is organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
PCB -: PCB stands for Pakistan Cricket Board. It is the organization responsible for managing cricket in Pakistan.
PoJK -: PoJK stands for Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. It is a region that India claims as part of its territory, but it is currently administered by Pakistan.
ICC -: ICC stands for the International Cricket Council. It is the global governing body for cricket, responsible for organizing international tournaments and setting rules for the game.
Hybrid model -: A hybrid model in this context means a mixed approach to organizing the tournament, possibly involving matches being played in different countries to address security concerns.