Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025?

WEB DESK: Indian captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli have reportedly agreed to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, according to sources on Tuesday.

Sports journalist Farid Khan disclosed that many Indian cricketers, including Sharma and Kohli, are open to visiting Pakistan for the major event, pending approval from the Indian government. Khan shared this information in a post on X, citing sources familiar with the situation.

Sources also indicated that Indian players are expected to bring their families along for the Champions Trophy 2025.

The Times of India recently published an editorial encouraging Indian cricketers to visit Pakistan, arguing that sports should remain separate from politics and advocating for the promotion of sports activities to ease tensions between the neighboring countries.

“India has not played any cricket in Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008. Mixing sports with geopolitics has limited impact beyond a certain point. The visit of Team India to Pakistan will not drastically alter New Delhi-Islamabad relations, but sports should remain detached from political issues,” the editorial stated. “Team India should tour Pakistan, provided it receives iron-clad, high-level security.”

Read More: Afghanistan Cricket Board proposes tri-series with Pakistan & UAE

In contrast, earlier reports from Indian media had suggested that the Indian team would not travel to Pakistan for the ICC tournament. Currently, India’s matches are slated to be held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shared the tournament schedule with the International Cricket Council (ICC), which includes a highly anticipated match between Pakistan and India on March 1st at Gaddafi Stadium.

However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to officially confirm or deny India’s participation in the tournament.