Champions Trophy 2025: BCCI refuse to feature Pakistan's name on Indian jersey

Reports claim that Rohit Sharma may also skip the captain's meeting ahead of the event

By Web Desk
January 21, 2025
Indian captain Rohit Sharma (L) along with Virat Kohli (R) during second ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo on August 4, 2024. – AFP

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly refused to wear jerseys featuring the host nation's name, Pakistan, on the Indian team’s attire for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.

This decision by the BCCI has left the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) frustrated, with the latter hoping for intervention from the International Cricket Council (ICC) to resolve the matter.

It is customary for teams participating in ICC events to feature the host nation's name on their jerseys as part of the tournament badge, even if the event is held elsewhere.

For instance, Pakistan's 2021 T20 World Cup jerseys displayed India's name, despite the rescheduled tournament taking place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Similarly, when Pakistan played in India during the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup, the tournament logo included India's name.

Despite this tradition, Team India has remained firm in its decision not to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, with recent reports suggesting that India's captain Rohit Sharma may also skip the captain's meeting ahead of the event.

This jersey controversy further adds to the ongoing tensions between the two cricket boards.

A PCB official criticised BCCI's stance, stating, "BCCI is bringing politics into cricket, which is not at all good for the game. They refused to travel to Pakistan. They don't want to send their captain (to Pakistan) for the opening ceremony, and now there are reports that they don't want the host nation's (Pakistan) name printed on their jersey."

"We believe that the world governing body (ICC) will not let this happen and will support Pakistan," he added.

It is pertinent to mention that the eight-team tournament, comprised of 15 matches, will run from February 19 to March 9, across three venues – Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi – in Pakistan and Dubai.

Hosts Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser on February 19 in Karachi, while the blockbuster clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai.

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