'Pakistanis must have enjoyed...' - Hardik Pandya's bold statement on India's refusal to tour Pakistan

India National Cricket Team all-rounder Hardik Pandya stole the show with his composed and diplomatic remark on their denial to travel to Pakistan for the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after they won the title for the record third time.

The Rohit Sharma-led India National Cricket Team clinched the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title by defeating New Zealand in the final by four wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, March 9. However, the victory has not come without controversy.

Hardik Pandya shuts down travel controversy in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a classy reply

There was intense debate around the so-called 'unfair advantage' given to the India National Cricket Team at the prestigious tournament. Several former and current cricketers have pointed out that the Men in Blue have benefited from playing all their matches in Dubai.

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On the other hand, other teams had to travel between different locations in Pakistan and even some teams were forced to travel to the UAE as well. Actually, the BCCI refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan—the host for the tournament—due to political tension and security reasons.

As a result, the ICC had to adopt a hybrid model, with all of India’s matches at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 scheduled in Dubai. After India’s thrilling title glory in Dubai on Sunday, Hardik Pandya was questioned about this arrangement, and he smartly avoided indulging in any unnecessary controversy.

The question is way above my pay grade: Hardik Pandya

Hardik stressed that he was not the right person to answer why the Men in Blue didn’t travel to Pakistan for the mega event. However, the Indian all-rounder said that Pakistanis in Dubai must have enjoyed India’s dominant campaign.

Hardik Pandya told reporters, “I am sure Pakistani people living in Dubai must have enjoyed our performance. The question of why we didn’t go is way above my pay grade.”

In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Hardik scored only 99 runs and took four wickets, but he was happy to contribute to the team’s goal. “I have always played cricket to win. This is not just a dialogue. I have always put the team above myself. It doesn’t matter if Hardik Pandya does well or not, but the team must do well.

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This mindset has helped me face hardships and taught me not to run away from challenges. If challenges are tough, throw punches. Keep fighting. Don’t leave the battlefield. If you don’t, you will never understand the outcome.”

Hardik Pandya calls India’s Champions Trophy 2025 win ‘Sweet Revenge’ for 2017 loss to Pakistan

The Indian all-rounder also said that they took the revenge of losing the 2017 final to Pakistan by winning the 2025 Champions Trophy. Hardik also revealed that bowling has become very close to his heart, but he also really loves sixes, referring to his monstrous sixes during the CT 2025.

Pandya signed off by saying, “Now that we have won, I can say that I have avenged that 2017 final loss. But eight years is a long time; a lot has happened. For me, India’s win is important. Fans back home are happy; this is the best we can offer from our side.”