ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rajeev Shukla all but confirms 'hybrid model' with 'safety of players' remark

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has backed the Indian government's decision to not send Team India to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

With the bilateral ties between India and Pakistan suspended, the BCCI needs the government's approval before sending the Indian team to Pakistan. India have not visited its neighbors since 2008 when the government suspended all ties with Pakistan in the wake of the Mumbai terrorist attack.

India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series against each other in the 2012/13 season. Since then, the arch-rivals have faced each other only in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup. The Indian government did not give the BCCI permission to send the team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup last year as well. As a result, India played all of their games in Sri Lanka.

Just after the Asia Cup, Pakistan visited India for the ODI World Cup. Following Pakistan's visit, speculations were rife that India would also cross the border for the Champions Trophy next year. However, the government has once again decided against giving the green light to the BCCI.

And while the BCCI is facing criticism from several quarters, Rajeev Shukla has defended the board while saying that the players' safety will be of the utmost importance. His comments came just hours before the ICC board meeting to finalize the schedule for the marquee event. Shukla also said that a hybrid model is an option for the tournament.

"Our discussions are going on. A decision will be taken after looking at the situation. Our top priority is the safety of the players. Hybrid mode is also an option; discussions are going on," Rajeev Shukla said in New Delhi.

ICC to take call on Champions Trophy soon:

The ICC board will be meeting on Friday to take a final call on the schedule and the venue for the Champions Trophy. According to reports, the governing body of the game is exploring several options at the moment. One of the options is to conduct the entire Champions Trophy in Pakistan without India.

However, it is highly unlikely that India's absence would cause a big financial loss for the ICC. The hybrid model is another option where Pakistan hosts the majority of the games but India play their games at a neutral venue. The third option is to conduct the entire competition outside Pakistan while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) retains the hosting rights.