Can India host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025? Here's the update

The fate of the Champions Trophy 2025 currently remains uncertain, with global cricket fans and administrators awaiting a resolution to the ongoing standoff between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The issue arose when the BCCI formally informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian team would not travel to Pakistan for the tournament due to security concerns and diplomatic tensions. This decision has thrown the future of the Champions Trophy into doubt, as Pakistan is scheduled to host the prestigious tournament.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Hosting tussle arises between India and Pakistan

In response, the PCB has taken a firm position, opposing any arrangement that would move select matches, such as India’s, to neutral venues as part of a 'hybrid model.' This model, which was used during the 2023 Asia Cup, allowed Pakistan to co-host while accommodating India's decision to play only on neutral grounds. However, the PCB has now rejected this approach for the Champions Trophy, asserting that hosting all matches within Pakistan is crucial for the event’s integrity.

To address the impasse, the PCB has formally requested a written explanation from the ICC regarding India’s refusal to play in Pakistan. They argue that hosting India is essential both for cricketing reasons and as a matter of national pride. The ICC now faces the challenge of either finding a compromise that satisfies both parties or risking the cancellation or relocation of the tournament, a move that could disrupt the cricketing calendar and affect stakeholders worldwide.

Discussions about potential neutral venues for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy have included Sri Lanka, Dubai, and South Africa. However, a recent PTI report suggests that South Africa is no longer being actively considered as a venue. Amid this, a video report on Sports Tak revealed that internal discussions within the BCCI have explored an alternative plan if Pakistan continues to oppose the hybrid model and opts out of hosting the tournament.

According to the report, the BCCI is considering the possibility of India stepping in as the host if Pakistan maintains its hard stance and withdraws. Such a scenario could lead to significant challenges for the ICC, particularly concerning compensation to broadcasters. The India-Pakistan match is one of the most highly anticipated fixtures in any cricket tournament, drawing massive global viewership and sponsorship interest. If Pakistan pulls out of the Champions Trophy, the absence of this marquee clash could result in substantial financial losses for the ICC and its commercial partners.

A report noted that discussions within the BCCI about India possibly hosting the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy are still in preliminary stages, with no decisions made yet. This contingency plan would only materialize if Pakistan remains firm in its stance against a hybrid hosting model and chooses to withdraw from the tournament. Amid these ongoing deliberations, a source revealed that a “key official” expressed disappointment with the ICC's approach, suggesting that the governing body could have handled the situation more proactively. The official indicated that the ICC might have foreseen the potential issues stemming from India's reluctance to play in Pakistan and should have acted sooner to prevent the current impasse.

The source suggested that early engagement from the ICC with both the BCCI and PCB could have led to a smoother resolution, possibly averting the current uncertainty hanging over the Champions Trophy. As the BCCI and PCB continue to hold firm positions, the ICC now faces increasing pressure to mediate an agreement that allows the tournament to proceed as planned, with the looming risk of financial setbacks should the high-profile India-Pakistan match be compromised.

The publication provided further insight, highlighting that India’s longstanding reluctance to travel to Pakistan stems from diplomatic tensions. Despite this, when the Champions Trophy schedule was announced well in advance, no objections were raised at the time. The report also noted that during the 12 ICC Board meetings held since the tournament's announcement, the BCCI did not formally express any concerns regarding the event being hosted in Pakistan.

This has raised questions about the timing of India’s decision to withdraw and whether the issue could have been addressed earlier to avoid the current uncertainty. The lack of objections during earlier discussions suggests a missed opportunity for dialogue, which might have allowed the ICC and stakeholders to explore alternative solutions in a more structured manner. The ongoing deadlock now places additional pressure on the ICC to resolve the situation without jeopardizing the integrity and financial viability of the Champions Trophy.