Not in cricket's interest to play Champions Trophy without India, concede ECB chiefs
England Cricket Board's key decision makers Richard Gould and Richard Thompson have ruled out the possibility of a Champions Trophy, to be held in Pakistan in 2025, without Indian participation. The duo has asked ICC to protect broadcast rights by ensuring India's participation one way or another.
The Champions Trophy scrapped after the 2017 edition by the International Cricket Council, was reinstituted in 2021 when the hosting rights were awarded to defending champions Pakistan. It was the first time the country had been nominated since 1996 when they co-hosted the World Cup alongside India and Sri Lanka, thus marking a major moment in the revival of cricket in the country.
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has repeatedly expressed objection at the idea of travelling to Pakistan citing security risks. A terrorist attack on the Lions' team bus during a tour in 2009 led to all international outfits to cease their visits to the Asian nation for the next decade. It was not until 2019/20 that tours to Pakistan resumed and the nation has since hosted all Test-playing nations across formats bar India, Ireland, and Afghanistan, the former of which last visited the country in 2008.
Nevertheless, England Cricket Board chair Richard Thompson and chief executive Richard Gould, who are currently in Pakistan for the ongoing Multan Test, have assured that the 2025 Champions Trophy slated to begin in February would have to feature India to ensure due diligence on broadcasting deals.
"It would not be in cricket's interests for India not to be playing in the Champions Trophy," Thompson said as per ESPN Cricinfo. "It's interesting, with Jay Shah - the former secretary of the BCCI and now chair of the ICC - is going to have a big role to play in that. There's geopolitics, and then there's cricketing geopolitics. I think they'll find a way. They have to find a way."
"There are always security concerns in this part of the world when those two countries play each other. That will probably drive the key decisions. But I know relationships between the two countries are as amicable as they can be at the moment: we saw it play out at the [men's T20] World Cup in New York," he added.
"If you play the Champions Trophy without India or Pakistan, the broadcast rights aren't there, and we need to protect them," Gould echoed Thompson's statements.
The dilemma arose previously too in 2023 when the Asian Cricket Council awarded their continental tournament to Pakistan. India refused to travel straightaway and eventually ended up playing all their games in Sri Lanka, including the final where they emerged triumphant.
"They are the host nation. We've seen the developments going on, and we're all waiting to understand whether India are going to travel. That's the key. We think there are some discussions and relationships where they need to be. I know Pakistan are expecting India to travel. There are lots of different alternatives and contingencies available if that doesn't happen."
"There are a variety of different options available if those circumstances come along. But also, when was the last time Pakistan hosted any kind of ICC trophy? This is a big moment for the country, and hopefully we can have the fullest possible competition in Pakistan. If that's not possible, we know there are options available," Gould asserted.
Meanwhile, Pakistan remain confident of hosting India securely, much like their neighbours had done for the 2023 ODI World Cup, and it remains to be seen how the stalemate unfolds.
"That's between India and Pakistan, and I think they will find a way where India will participate in the Champions Trophy… These things tend to go to the wire, as history has shown us, so I think that in those six months, they'll find a way," Gould concluded.
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