Rajeev Shukla responded to Pakistani journalists regarding the Champions Trophy final location, humorously indicating Australia needed to win for the final to be in Lahore. He defended India’s one-venue matches in Dubai, citing ICC policies. Shukla added that resumption of India-Pakistan bilateral cricket depends on the Indian government’s approval and emphasized BCCI’s preference for matches in respective countries rather than neutral venues.
Rajeev Shukla, Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), addressed Pakistani reporters regarding the venue for the Champions Trophy final. When asked why the Indian team could not travel to Pakistan for the final match, he humorously remarked, “For that, Australia should have won yesterday (Tuesday). But since they lost, the final would have to be played in Dubai.” This quip left the journalists momentarily speechless.
Shukla discussed the logistics of the tournament, defending the arrangement that allowed India to play all matches in Dubai. He explained that the decision made by the International Cricket Council (ICC) was to keep India-centric matches in Dubai due to political circumstances, stating, “The Indian team doesn’t depend on pitches… and do not depend on pitches.”
Furthermore, Shukla addressed the topic of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan. He stated that resuming matches depends solely on the Indian government’s approval, saying, “Whatever the government of India says, we will go as per them.” He noted that the BCCI’s policy is to conduct matches on each country’s home soil rather than at neutral venues, emphasizing, “This has been BCCI’s consistent policy.”
While acknowledging the desire of fans from both nations for resumed ties, Shukla confirmed that the decision lies with governmental processes. He remarked, “When the government takes a decision, it is after considering a lot of aspects. It is their internal matter.” The tournament in Pakistan is a significant event, and Shukla praised the organization, saying, “Pakistan is hosting an international tournament after a long time, and it is a good thing. They have organized it well.”
In summary, Rajeev Shukla’s remarks to Pakistani reporters highlight the complexities of the Champions Trophy venue arrangements and the future of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan. While he provided a humorous response to inquiries about the final being held in Lahore, he also clarified that the BCCI’s policies and governmental consent dictate the nature of future matches. His acknowledgment of Pakistan’s successful hosting indicates a positive outlook on international cricket in the region.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
