‘Bringing politics into cricket’ – PCB lashes out at BCCI over reports of Rohit Sharma not traveling for CT 2025 captain’s meet

With just under a month to go for Champions Trophy 2025, tensions between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) doesn’t seem to end. There are reports that Indian skipper Rohit Sharma may not travel across the border for the opening ceremony of the tournament. 

PCB are also upset with reports that team India has refused to wear jerseys with Pakistan’s name printed . It is a standard protocol that the name of the host nation is printed on jerseys of all teams. BCCI, for their part are yet to confirm if Rohit will take part in the official captain’s photoshoot and subsequesnt opening ceremony. 

One PCB source while speaking to IANS said “BCCI is bringing politics into cricket, which is not at all good for the game. They refused to travel to Pakistan. They don't want to send their captain to Pakistan for the opening ceremony, now there are reports that they don't want the host nation's Pakistan name printed on their jersey. We believe that the world governing body will not let this happen and support Pakistan”

Aakash Chopra slams BCCI for ignoring Mohammed Siraj

One player who will not be part of the ODI setup is 30-year-old pacer Mohammed Siraj. In a surprising move, selectors decided to drop the pacer who has been the best white-ball bowler for India in the last few years. This move didn’t sit down well with former India batter Aakash Chopra. 

Speaking about Siraj being excluded, Aakash Chopra said “In my opinion, Mohammed Siraj should have been a part of this team and I will even tell in whose place he should have been there. The team has two left-arm spinners and one off-spinner. You could have dropped one of the three. If you wished, you could have left out Ravindra Jadeja and kept Mohammed Siraj in his place,"

The 47-year-old also added “You could have done that because I feel Siraj would have had greater value. He would have been used more. He would have contributed more to the team and I see lesser chances of Jadeja playing. Honestly speaking, he might not play at all. So if Jadeja is not going to play, you would have had a player who would have had greater chances of playing"