BCCI bars Rohit Sharma from traveling to Pakistan

India has sparked controversy by barring its cricket team captain, Rohit Sharma, from traveling to Pakistan for the curtain-raiser event and skippers’ photoshoot for ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Indian media reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) urged the ICC to shift both pre-tournament events to Dubai, enabling Rohit Sharma to participate physically.

However, the BCCI seems confident about the ICC’s approval for their demands as "ICC has already accommodated India's request not to schedule its Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan, so these are minor issues," Indian media quoted some sources.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), however, criticised the BCCI’s actions, accusing it of “bringing politics into cricket,” which could harm the sport’s spirit.

Readmore: India will wear Pakistan's name jersey in Champions Trophy 2025

A PCB official, quoted by the news agency IANS, expressed hope for the ICC’s impartiality, saying, “We believe that the world governing body will not let this happen and will support Pakistan.”

Earlier, BCCI had reportedly refused to allow the name of the host nation, Pakistan, to be printed on the jerseys of the Indian cricket team during the ICC Champions Trophy.

PCB officials had criticised the move, accusing the BCCI of politicising sports and slamming its decision to exclude Pakistan's name from the players' jerseys.

Following the ICC intervention, India claimed that they will fully comply with ICC uniform regulations for the 2025 Champions Trophy, dismissing rumours about objections to including, Pakistan's name on their kits.