In a bold statement, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has raised concerns over the safety of the Indian team in Pakistan, hinting that India might not send its squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy if it is hosted by Pakistan.
Responding to a question during a show on a Pakistani TV channel, Harbhajan expressed his anger, saying, “If our players are not safe in Pakistan, we won’t send the team. If you want to play, play; if not, then don’t. Indian cricket can still survive without Pakistan. If you guys can survive without Indian cricket, do it.”
Pakistan is the official host of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which is making a return to the calendar after an 8-year gap. The last edition of the tournament was held in 2017, with Pakistan emerging as the champions after defeating arch-rivals India in the final at The Oval in London.
However, during the recent Asia Cup held last year, India played all of their matches in Sri Lanka under a ‘hybrid model’, raising concerns about the security situation in Pakistan. India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, with the two cricketing giants only facing each other in multi-team events.
Harbhajan’s strong statement reflects the ongoing tensions between the two nations, which have a long history of political and diplomatic conflicts. The safety and security of the players have always been a significant concern, and Harbhajan’s comments suggest that India may not be willing to take any risks when it comes to the well-being of its team.
The 2025 Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Pakistan in February and March next year, marking the first major cricket event in the country since it co-hosted the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka. However, Harbhajan’s warning casts doubt over India’s participation, which could have a significant impact on the tournament’s success and the overall cricketing relations between the two nations.
