As the countdown to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begins, speculation surrounds whether Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma will travel to Pakistan for the customary captains’ meet and opening ceremony.
Scheduled for either February 16 or 17, this event marks a significant moment as it will be the first ICC tournament hosted by Pakistan since the 1996 ODI World Cup.
Current Situation
According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is optimistic about Rohit Sharma’s attendance at the captains’ photo shoot and pre-event press conference.
The PCB has secured all necessary clearances from its government to issue visas promptly to all participating captains, including Sharma.
A PCB source confirmed, “This obviously includes Rohit or any other Indian team player or official.”
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet made a definitive decision on Sharma’s travel plans.
While PCB officials express confidence, BCCI sources indicate that no formal proposal has been presented regarding his attendance.
A BCCI official stated, “Rohit’s travel to Pakistan isn’t confirmed; we will consider this matter only after the team announcement.”
Why Rohit Might Attend
The traditional captains’ meet is a customary event preceding major ICC tournaments, where all team captains gather for a photo shoot and press conference in the host country.
Given that Pakistan is hosting this prestigious tournament, Rohit’s presence would symbolize cooperation and sportsmanship between the two nations.
Moreover, attending this event would mark a historic moment for Indian cricket, as it would be the first time an Indian captain participated in an ICC event held in Pakistan.
What If He Doesn’t Travel?
If Rohit Sharma is unable to attend the meet in Pakistan, there are discussions about potentially relocating the event to Dubai, where India is set to play all their matches due to security concerns regarding travel to Pakistan.
This scenario would mean that Sharma could become the first captain in ICC tournament history to skip this key pre-tournament event.
The PCB has made it clear that they expect all teams and their captains to participate in the opening ceremony in Pakistan, aligning with standard protocols for ICC events.
