Rajeev Shukla re-iterates India’s stance on touring Pakistan for Champions Trophy

Pakistan are still waiting to know India’s stance on coming across the border for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has time and again stated its reluctance to tour the neighbours. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has made a huge statement about India’s participation in the tournament. 

Speaking during the Kanpur Test, Rajeev Shukla said “No decision has been taken yet. Our decision is that for our international tours, we always seek the permission of the government. In this case also, whatever the government decides, we will abide by that”

India haven’t toured Pakistan since 2008 when they played the Asia Cup. BCCI had not toured for the Asia Cup 2023 tournament which was to be held across the border. The tournament was held in a hybrid model with Sri Lanka hosting the bulk of the tournament. 

Rajeev Shukla breaks silence on Green Park Stadium’s future 

Green Park Stadium in Kanpur has been the source of debate for the last few days. Constant rains meant that two days were lost as many fans were disgruntled with the authorities. There was no rain on Sunday but the damp outfield meant that the day was called off much to the chagrin of fans. 

Rajeev Shukla while addressing the media said “Well, criticism is one thing which we are used to in the administration of the BCCI in cricket. But everything is being criticised. When we were not giving matches to Kanpur because of certain reasons, then also I was being criticised. Now we are giving the match and I am still being criticised for why it has been given to Kanpur. So that goes on”

Mr. Shukla also said “You know the problem is that this ground is around 80 years old. It is our heritage ground. If you remember it used to be a permanent Test centre. The original six permanent Test centres were Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Kanpur”

Citing unforeseen amounts of rain, Rajeev Shukla said “This is a permanent centre. So the whole idea was to have Test matches here. This is the first time in 80 years that it rained so much that we were not able to host the match for two days."