ICC Champions Trophy 2025 - Aakash Chopra reveals India's final stance on visiting Pakistan

Former India opener Aakash Chopra feels that India will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Chopra feels that the chances of India to travel for the tournament are too low at this point and it may result in a hybrid model.

The Champions Trophy 2025 is to be hosted by Pakistan in February-March next year.

The three venues finalized for the tournament are Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. However, the tournament is in danger as India has not confirmed its travel to Pakistan yet.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already made it clear that India's travel will depend upon the permission of the country's government. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already started the upgrade of the stadiums for the big ICC event.

Also read: IND vs AUS: Ravichandran Ashwin’s fear factor heavy in Usman Khawaja's head months before BGT 2024-25

Aakash Chopra breaks silence on whether India will travel to Pakistan or not

During a podcast on Raj Shamani's YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra was asked about India's chances of traveling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Chopra clearly stated that the chances are too low but maintained that the tournament can be held in a hybrid model like last year's Asia Cup.

"Let's be honest. The chances (for India to go for the Champions Trophy 2025) are too low. It can happen in Pakistan (on asked if Champions Trophy will happen in Pakistan or not) because the cricket has returned to Pakistan. There was the Asia Cup as well. It was the hybrid model. We were playing in Sri Lanka. Pakistan played its matches there barring the game against India," Chopra said.

The former India opener further mentioned that the Indian government needs to make a decision which will be followed by the team as well. He also added that the situation in Kashmir does not make it likely for India to travel there.

"England, New Zealand, and Australia went there. so, the teams are going but I doubt that we will go there. Eventually, the nod has to come from the government. It's not even in the hands of BCCI, so they can't decide. So, the chances of getting the nod from the government aren't too bright. In a month or two, news comes from Kashmir that it is not right," Chopra reckoned.

"India can play their games in Dubai (if India refuses to travel). It depends upon the timing whether it's Dubai or Sri Lanka. But India might not go actually," he added.

"India's presence is driving the economy" - Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra further stated that India's presence is driving the cricket economy which makes the tournament unlikely to happen without them. He claimed that the broadcasters would not agree if India didn't travel for the tournament as a huge chunk of money is generated from here.

"It will be already decided before the tournament. If Pakistan reaches the final, maybe they will want to do it in Pakistan because they are the host nation. But if Pakistan and India reach the final, hypothetically, India isn't likely to travel," the former India batter said.

"One thing that is not lost on anyone is that India's presence is driving the (cricket) economy. Some people even say that India should not come if they don't want to come. What will you do with the tournament if India doesn't participate? How will you generate the money."

"From a team's point of view, they will eventually understand that gate money is a very tiny fraction. The real money is from the broadcaster. And it will only come when India arrives," he added.

A total of 8 teams are participating in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and all the teams have agreed to travel to Pakistan except India. It will be interesting to see in the upcoming days how the ICC manages this situation keeping both parties (BCCI and PCB) involved.