Shane Watson reacts on India’s stance of not travelling to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025

The Champions Trophy 2025 is just around the corner as the cricketing community gears for an action-packed limited over cricket action. Shane Watson, currently the ICC ambassador for the Champions Trophy has opened up on the Indian team not coming to Pakistan for the prestigious tournament.

Shane Watson shares his perspective on India’s reluctance to go to Pakistan

India had shared their unwillingness to go to the neighbouring country citing security reasons. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), initially not ready to negotiate a neutral venue for India’s matches in the tournament, had to sit with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Later on and the two boards, along with the International Cricket Council (ICC) reached a consensus that the two nations would be playing the ICC fixtures on neutral venues. This paved the way for India’s matches for the upcoming Champions Trophy to be held in Dubai.

Expressing his take on the whole matter, Watson opined in a press conference that he finds it unfortunate that the Indian team would not be travelling to Pakistan for the tournament.

“It’s unfortunate that things have worked out that way for sure. But there’s no doubt that what everyone loves seeing — the India-Pakistan games. Whenever they come together, whether it’s an ICC event, it is a really special time because we’ve got a sense of what’s on the line,” Watson said.

Also Read: Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman predicts his four semifinalists of Champions Trophy 2025

Watson confident of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s return to form

Sharing his thoughts on the Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s poor form in Test Cricket owing to their horrible display with the bat in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Watson further said that he is confident that the two Indian batters would eventually return back to their usual momentum.

“I don’t think it will really play a part at all with Rohit Sharma and Virat’s impact in one-day cricket. It’s going to be different conditions where they’re playing in Dubai. One-day cricket does really free them both as well,” the former Australian batter further noted.

India is set to play its matches in the Champions Trophy in Dubai. The Indian team is pooled in Group A with Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh while Group B includes Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia. The final of the tournament is set to take place in Lahore. However, if the Indian team qualifies, the finals will also be held in Dubai.

Also Read: Team India’s full schedule till IPL 2025: England series, Champions Trophy & More

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January 03, 2025 at 10:05AM