Will Indian captain Rohit Sharma visit Pakistan for a captain’s photo shoot? Here’s what we know
Waiting for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is building, especially as it marks a significant return to international cricket Pakistan. For the first time since 1996, Pakistan will host an ICC tournament, an event that carries both excitement and trepidation, especially in relation to Indiaparticipation. With the backdrop of political tensions and security concerns, the question is: Will India be the captain Rohit Sharma travel to Pakistan for a captain’s photo shoot?
A historical event in a complex context
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be a unique event that will showcase the greatness of cricket while dealing with the complexities of the Indo-Pakistan relationship. India opted out of playing their matches in Pakistan due to security concerns, opting instead to hold all their matches in Dubai. This hybrid model allows India to participate without setting foot on Pakistani soil during the tournament. However, this arrangement does not rule out the possibility of Rohit traveling to Pakistan for official pre-tournament events.
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The reason why Rohit Sharma might travel to Pakistan
Before every ICC tournament, it is customary for the captains of all the participating teams to attend an official event that includes a photo shoot with the trophy and a press conference. These events are usually held in the host country – in this case Pakistan. If it is ICC decides to hold this event in Pakistan, Rohit may have to make his first trip to the country, despite India not playing a single match there. So far there is no confirmation on the venue of this event, but it remains a strong possibility due to ICC tradition.
Has Rohit ever played in Pakistan?
Rohit never played an international match in Pakistan during his illustrious career. If he travels to this pre-tournament event, it would mark a historic moment not only for him but for Indian cricket as a whole. The significance of such a visit cannot be overestimated; it would symbolize a step towards normalizing cricketing ties between India and Pakistan amid ongoing political tensions.
The future of hybrid models
The hybrid hosting model for ICC tournaments is set to continue until 2027, meaning that India and Pakistan will not play matches in their respective countries during ICC events. For the 2025 Champions Trophy, while India will play their matches in Dubai, Pakistan will host their matches at home. This arrangement reflects ongoing security concerns, but also highlights the importance of maintaining competitive cricket between these two giants of cricket.