"There are a lot of fans in Pakistan of Virat Kohli" - Harbhajan Singh opens up on India not touring Pakistan for 2025 Champions Trophy
Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh has been very vocal about India's decision to not tour Pakistan for the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy. He voiced his opinion once again after the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that the Men in Blue would play their matches at neutral venues.
Harbhajan pointed out that Virat Kohli and the current Indian team enjoy a huge fan following in Pakistan and fans there want to see them play on Pakistani soil. He, however, emphasized that it remains a distant possibility unless the diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries improve.
The cricketer-turned-commentator also highlighted that it wasn't possible for India to play the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan due to security concerns. Speaking in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan commented (from 13:57):
"If the conditions are good, then who would not want to go to Pakistan? We got a lot of love there. When we went to play there, the people gave a lot of love to the Indian team. Even today, there are a lot of fans in Pakistan of Virat Kohli and this Indian team and they want to see them play. But there are security issues. India have played in Pakistan in the past as well, and if the situation between the two countries improves, India will go once again."
It is worth mentioning that India's senior men's side have not toured Pakistan for a cricket match since the 2008 Asia Cup. The two arch-rivals have also not competed in a bilateral series since Pakistan's white-ball tour to India in 2012-13.
"Don’t come to India if you don’t want to, we don’t have any issues" - Harbhajan Singh's message to Pakistan amid 2025 Champions Trophy tussle
Reacting to the 2025 Champions Trophy stalemate between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Harbhajan Singh opined that India won't suffer if Pakistan refuse to tour India for ICC events in the future.
Harbhajan told India Today:
"Don’t come to India if you don’t want to, we don’t have any issues. If Pakistan don’t come to India, it won’t matter much. You may ask current cricketers and they will have the same opinion. Had the situation in Pakistan been different, things could have been different."
Meanwhile, the ICC confirmed that India and Pakistan matches hosted by either nation during the 2024-2027 cycle will be played at natural venues.