"Pakistan have themselves to blame" - Aakash Chopra on India not going to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025
Aakash Chopra has noted that India will reportedly not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 because of the government's decision and that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has no role to play in it. He added that Pakistan themselves are to be blamed for the Indian government's stance.
Pakistan are supposed to host the Champions Trophy next year. The BCCI has reportedly conveyed to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Men in Blue won't travel to Pakistan for the event.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener observed that Pakistan need to hold themselves accountable for the Indian government's reported decision.
"It has been decided that India won't go to Pakistan, and this is not the BCCI's decision. Let's make it very, very clear. India's cricket team doesn't decide where and when they will go when we talk about Pakistan. For the other places. it's fine. However, if you are going to Pakistan, it's not the BCCI's but the Indian government's decision," he said (0:40).
"They have communicated that they will not give the permission to go there. So India are not going. In a way, they (Pakistan) have themselves to blame. Yesterday only I saw that there was a bomb blast in a railway station in Quetta, and then whatever Pakistan are involved in when we talk about India, especially Kashmir," Chopra added.
Chopra pointed out that the Indian government has every right to take a stance. He added that if Pakistan set their house in order, normalization of ties might happen in every sphere, and the two neighbors might also start playing bilateral series again.
"A reality check is needed at times" - Aakash Chopra says the Champions Trophy 2025 cannot happen without India
![Pakistan defeated India in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/06737-17313063603500-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra questioned the possibility of the Champions Trophy happening without India.
"There are multiple permutations and combinations that what happens to the Champions Trophy. Pakistan have refused, that they don't want a hybrid model at all, that no one told them India aren't coming, and that they are prepared to host this in Pakistan. A reality check is needed at times," he said (1:20).
"I am not saying this to demean anyone or to show someone their place. I am just telling the truth. Accept it whether you like it or not because it's the truth and it won't change. The Indian team has said that they can't travel for the Champions Trophy, you will have to make us play somewhere else, or else we can't take part, but is that a possibility?" the renowned commentator added.
Chopra noted that all other nations, including Pakistan, know that the global event cannot happen without India.
"Will the Champions Trophy happen if India don't take part? It's absolutely certain that the Champions Trophy cannot happen without India. All other teams understand that very well. I think Pakistan also understand. It's just that they need to do posturing and appease the domestic audience a little," he observed.
Chopra pointed out that the broadcasters won't agree to a Champions Trophy without India. He added that they will either pull out or ask for a renegotiation of the broadcasting rights, which won't be acceptable to the ICC.