Ind refuse to feature Pak on CT kit

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.

Ganguly backs India

Former captain Sourav Ganguly named India as one of the top contenders to win the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will take place in Pakistan and the UAE next month.

In a recent interview, Ganguly expressed his belief that the Indian team, bolstered by their strong performances in the 50-over World Cup and the T20 World Cup, would be a formidable force in the prestigious tournament.

However, he added that India's Test cricket performances, particularly away from home, needed further improvement.

"I think India is one of the contenders in the Champions Trophy, especially after their performances in the 50-over World Cup and the T20 World Cup," said Ganguly.

"But Test cricket is something they will need to work on, particularly when playing away from home. Rohit, in white-ball cricket, is phenomenal. You will see a different Rohit Sharma once the Champions Trophy starts," he added.

In the same interview, the 52-year-old also discussed the future of Virat Kohli in white-ball cricket, expressing surprise at Kohli's recent performance during India's tour of Australia.

Recently, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar labeled Pakistan as the favorites to win the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, citing the significant advantage of playing on home soil.

Speaking during an interview, Gavaskar expressed his belief that the home advantage would prove pivotal for Pakistan.

"The tag of favorites should be given to the home team, Pakistan, as it's not easy to beat any team in their home conditions," said Gavaskar.

"India lost in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023, but before that, they put up clinical performances and won ten matches on the trot," he added.