Rohit Sharma may visit Pakistan for 2025 Champions Trophy: Reports

In a significant development ahead of the Champions Trophy, Rohit Sharma may reportedly visit Pakistan for the pre-tournament photoshoot and presser. Should it happen, it will be the first instance in over a decade that an active Indian cricketer visits the neighboring nation.

According to the claims made by Indian media outlets on Monday, Rohit, along with other captains, may attend the photoshoot and press conferences in Pakistan. Nevertheless, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to deliver an official statement.

The eight-team tournament, set to be contested from February 19 to March 9, will be hosted by Pakistan and the UAE. Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi will stage the matches in Pakistan, while Dubai will contest all India-related games. India and Pakistan will lock horns in Dubai on February 23.

The upcoming tournament will be held under hybrid model as the Indian government and BCCI declined to send their team to Pakistan due to security concerns. Pakistan agreed on the condition that all the events hosted by India from 2024-2027 will take place at a neutral venue.

Rohit Sharma and co. to open their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh

Team India during 2023 World Cup. (Credits: Getty)

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma-led Indian side will open their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 at the Dubai International Stadium. Along with Pakistan, India is the only side yet to announce the squad. The Men in Blue are clubbed with Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand in Group A.

India were the runners-up in the 2017 Champions Trophy, losing to Pakistan by 180 runs in the final. The Men in Blue only have three ODIs to figure out their combination for the eight-team tournament as they will play a 50-over series against England.

India also played only three ODIs in 2024 and lost two of them to fall to a series defeat to Sri Lanka.