BCCI’s Rajeev Shukla Slams Pakistan Journalist On Pakistan Soil In Champions Trophy 2025

Rajeev Shukla, vice president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), discussed whether India had an unfair edge because they played all of their 2025 ICC Champions Trophy matches in Dubai.

The Indian squad, according to Rajeev Shukla, depends more on skill than on outside variables like pitch conditions.

Former players questioned if India's decision to play all of their matches in Dubai gives them an unfair advantage. Unlike other teams that travel between three locations in Pakistan and Dubai, India is playing at a single location. A hybrid model resulted from India's refusal to visit Pakistan because of political difficulties.

When South Africa and Australia were forced to go to Dubai before the semifinals, the criticism intensified. India defeated New Zealand in the last group-stage match to guarantee their place in the semifinals. To compete in the second semifinal match, South Africa and New Zealand had to go to Pakistan.

The squad captained by Rohit Sharma advanced to the Champions Trophy final for the third time in a row after defeating Australia by four wickets. On Wednesday, March 5, in Lahore, the Kiwis defeated the Proteas by a margin of 50 runs. New Zealand also secured a spot in their third Champions Trophy final with this win.

India Relies on Their Skills, Not on the Basis of the Pitch—BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla

Rajeev Shukla said that the team depends on performance rather than field conditions, dismissing worries that India would gain an edge by playing all of their games in Dubai. Shukla told reporters that during the ICC meeting, it was decided that matches centered on India would take place in Dubai.

“When this decision was being made during the ICC meeting, it was decided that India-centric matches will be played in Dubai while the remaining games will be played in Dubai. So it’s not about fair or unfair, and the Indian cricket team doesn’t play depending on pitches. There are different kinds of pitches in Dubai grounds as well. India plays on performance; the players play on their skills, not on the basis of the pitch,” Shukla said while speaking to the media at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Rajeev Shukla speaks on whether India-Pakistan bilateral ties will resume or not

The Indian government will make the final choice, Rajeev Shukla added when discussing the prospect of India and Pakistan playing bilateral cricket again in a neutral location.

Shukla went on to say that rather than neutral locations, bilateral series ought to be held in India or Pakistan.

Governments to play a vital role- Shukla

“As far as bilateral cricket relations between India and Pakistan are concerned, the decision is in the hands of the government. Whatever the government of India tells us, we’ll go by that. Moreover, it’s the policy of the BCCI, and I guess it would be the same for the PCB as well, that whichever bilateral games should take place on the soil of either of the two nations. It shouldn’t take place at a neutral venue; it’s a consistent policy by the BCCI,” Shukla stated.

India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series in 2012-13 when Pakistan visited India. India last visited Pakistan in 2008 for the Asia Cup.

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