Pakistan to get extra funds to conduct matches for India at neutral venues ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

As the Champions Trophy 2025 is approaching, India is still standing firm on the fact that they won't be travelling to Pakistan to play the tournament. Instead, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has proposed conducting the matches in neutral venues, just like it happened during the Asia Cup 2023. Now, Pakistan didn't agree on this and was ready to play the championship without India. 

However, in a recent meeting, the International Cricket Council (ICC) developed a solution allowing India to play at neutral venues. ICC has approved a budget that now includes supplementary expenses to accommodate India's plan to play at neutral venues. The safety issues are one of the main reasons behind India's resentment of playing in Pakistan. 

Now that the financial stress has been lifted off Pakistan's heads, they will think of allowing different venues for India other than their own country. There are neighbouring countries like the UAE and Sri Lanka where the Men in Blue will be willing to play the matches of the Champions Trophy 2025. This is an important tournament, and India will not want to avoid it. 

India's tour of Sri Lanka to start on July 27

For the upcoming 3-match T20I series, India has already left for Sri Lanka. The T20I matches will start on July 27 and will end on July 30. This will be followed by a 3-match ODI series starting on August 2. The Indian Board has announced the squad for both series. While Rohit Sharma will lead the ODI series, Suryakumar Yadav has been chosen for the T20I series. 

Even though Hardik Pandya was the vice-captain during the T20 World Cup 2024, the selectors picked SKY as the captain, keeping the long-term success in mind. With Pandya, injury becomes the issue most of the time, and the Board wants him to be prepared for ODI cricket as well. Hence, they are keeping him away from all sorts of responsibilities so that he can play freely.