BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla firmly rejected concerns about India gaining an undue advantage by playing all their matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With Dubai’s pitch conditions being spin-friendly, several experts raised concerns about the scheduling, questioning whether India was given preferential treatment.
Attending the second semi-final in Lahore, Shukla was asked about the controversy but remained unfazed, responding firmly to a Pakistani journalist. He emphasized that India’s success is built on skill and performance rather than pitch conditions.
“When this decision was made during the ICC meeting, it was agreed that India-centric matches would be played in Dubai, while the remaining games would also take place in Dubai. So, it’s not about fair or unfair. The Indian cricket team does not depend on pitches to win matches. There are different types of pitches even within Dubai. India plays on performance—our players rely on their skills, not the conditions,” Shukla stated.
Shukla was also asked about the possibility of resuming bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan at a neutral venue. He reiterated that the decision lies entirely with the Indian government and reaffirmed BCCI’s consistent stance against playing bilateral series outside the two nations.
“As far as bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan is concerned, the decision is in the hands of the government. Whatever the Indian government decides, we will follow. Moreover, it is BCCI’s consistent policy that bilateral matches should take place either in India or Pakistan, not at a neutral venue. I assume the PCB follows a similar approach,” he added.
Pakistan toured India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, while India’s last visit to Pakistan was in 2008 for the Asia Cup. Since their last bilateral ODI series in 2012-13, the two teams have only faced each other in multinational tournaments.
