BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla reaffirmed on Wednesday that the resumption of India-Pakistan bilateral cricket is entirely in the hands of the Indian government. Addressing a gathering in Lahore, where he watched the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal match between New Zealand and South Africa, Shukla also ruled out the possibility of India-Pakistan matches being held at a neutral venue.
Government Holds the Key to India-Pakistan Cricket
Speaking to Pakistani media, Shukla explicitly said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has government guidelines for cricketing relations with Pakistan. “As far as you are asking about (cricket) between the two countries, it is very categorical and clear that it is the (Indian) government’s decision. Whatever the government of India says, we will go as per them,” he added.
While he acknowledged that fans from both nations desire the resumption of bilateral matches, he stood firm on BCCI’s stance regarding venue selection.
“It is true that fans from both the countries want the teams to play but the BCCI policy has been, and PCB would too have such a policy, that bilateral matches should be held on each other’s soil and not at a third (or) neutral venue,” Shukla further added.
He underlined the fact that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has also such a clause on bilateral series government clearance, thereby proving to be one of the prime determining factors.
Shukla Answers Lahore Final Question
If asked if the Champions Trophy final could have been staged in Lahore and not Dubai, Shukla had a sarcastic reply. He said “For that, Australia should have won yesterday (Tuesday). But since they lost, the final would have to be played in Dubai.”
His reply cited India’s semifinal win over Australia, which sealed Dubai as the venue for the final. Pakistan was originally scheduled to host the Champions Trophy, but because of tense India-Pakistan relations, all of India’s matches were relocated to Dubai.
India’s Matches in Dubai Were Pre-Decided
India gained unfair edge as its matches were held all at one venue, i.e., in Dubai, and teams traveling in between places played from other destinations.
“When this decision was taken at the ICC level, it was decided that India-centric matches will be in Dubai and the rest of the matches will be in Pakistan, so it is not a question of fair or unfair,” he explained.
He also rejected allegations that India used home conditions to qualify for the final.
“The Indian team doesn’t depend on pitches, even there (in Dubai) there are different kinds of pitches. The team plays on its performances, the players play on their strengths and not depend on pitches,” Shukla said.
Asia Cup Scheduling Remains Unchanged
When questioned regarding upcoming tournaments such as the Asia Cup, Rajeev Shukla said that nothing significant is likely to change. “You know it is status quo, so it will happen accordingly. I had come here for the Asia Cup as well. Roger Binny was also there and Jay Shah has also been cooperating completely.”