ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Did India benefit from playing in Dubai? Rajeev Shukla got angry at Pakistani journalist, gave a big statement on PAK series
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla got angry at a Pakistani journalist asking him if India was benefiting from playing in Dubai in the Champions Trophy. Pakistan was the host of this ICC tournament, but India refused to travel to the neighbouring country for this, after which the ICC decided to hold all India’s matches in Dubai.
Many cricket experts say that India is getting the advantage of playing at one place. Rajeev Shukla went to watch the second semi-final match between South Africa and New Zealand played in Lahore and during that time he was asked the same question. BCCI Vice President got angry at this question and gave a befitting reply to the Pakistani journalist. Rajeev said that India does not depend on the pitch, but on its performance.
Rejecting the advantage of playing at the same venue
Rajeev Shukla said, when this decision was taken at the ICC level, it was decided that India’s matches will be held in Dubai and the rest of the matches will be held in Pakistan, so it is not a question of fair or unfair. The Indian team does not depend on the pitches, even in Dubai there are different types of pitches. The team plays on the basis of its performance, the players play on the basis of their strength and do not depend on the pitches.
‘Playing bilateral series at a neutral venue is not BCCI’s policy’
Rajeev Shukla was also asked about the possibilities of a bilateral series between India and Pakistan at a neutral venue. Regarding this, the BCCI Vice President said that it is very clear that the resumption of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan is subject to the approval of the Government of India. At the same time, playing bilateral series at a neutral venue has not been the policy of BCCI. He said, as far as you are asking about cricket between the two countries, it is very clear that this is the decision of the Indian government. Whatever the Indian government says, we will go according to them. Pakistan is hosting an international tournament after a long time and this is a good thing. They have organized it well.
The BCCI vice-president said, it is true that fans of both countries want the teams to play, but the BCCI’s policy has been that bilateral matches should be held on each other’s soil and not at a neutral venue and the PCB will also have a similar policy. This has been the BCCI’s consistent policy. There is also a provision in the ICC which is about government consent. This is a big provision so it is from the point of view of government consent. We put our point in front of the government, but they decide after discussion. When the government takes a decision, it takes it after considering many aspects. This is their internal matter.
There has been no bilateral series between India and Pakistan for a long time. India last visited Pakistan in 2008 during the Asia Cup. However, the Pakistan team came to India to participate in the ODI World Cup 2023. A bilateral series was played between these two countries in 2012-13 and since then India and Pakistan play against each other only in ICC or multinational tournaments. The Indian team has reached the final of the Champions Trophy, while Pakistan’s journey ended in the group stage itself.
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