Champions Trophy Row: Harbhajan Singh’s Viral Video Sparks Debate on India’s Participation in Pakistan

The Indian cricket team’s participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been a topic of discussion lately, with reports suggesting that the team may not get clearance from the government to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. This has raised concerns over India’s participation in the event. For those who may not be aware, India did not travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup in 2023, and their matches were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet made a formal decision on the matter, with BCCI vice president Rajiv Shukla denying rumors that India is unlikely to travel to Pakistan. However, some reports claim that the BCCI will raise the issue with the ICC at the upcoming general meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

In the midst of this debate, an old video of former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has resurfaced, sparking a heated discussion. The video shows Harbhajan appearing on Pakistan’s ARY News last year, where he had a heated exchange with the show’s host, Wasim Badami.

In the video, Harbhajan is seen saying, “If our players are not safe in Pakistan, we won’t send the team. If you want to play, play; if not, don’t. Indian cricket can still survive without Pakistan. If you guys can survive without Indian cricket, then do it.” His comments have gone viral on social media, with many taking to Twitter to share the video and express their opinions on the matter.

On the other hand, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has claimed that it is Pakistan’s right to host the Champions Trophy and that India must travel to the country, just like the rest of the participating teams. Butt pointed out that India’s kabaddi and tennis teams have played tournaments in Pakistan in recent times, and that the Indian government cannot pick and choose.

“Pakistan have got the rights to host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and it should be held in Pakistan. Like all the other teams, India should also come to Pakistan. Pakistan went to India for the World Cup, so India should also do the same. A lot of things have been said about the relations between the two countries, but India’s kabaddi and tennis teams have visited Pakistan. Either you cut off completely, or you try to be normal everywhere. You can’t pick and choose, which they have been doing,” Butt said in a video on his YouTube channel.

The debate surrounding India’s participation in the Champions Trophy has sparked a lively discussion on social media, with many taking sides on the issue. While some argue that India should not travel to Pakistan due to security concerns, others believe that the team should participate in the tournament and maintain sporting ties with Pakistan. The BCCI’s decision on the matter is yet to be made, and it remains to be seen whether India will ultimately participate in the tournament.

Historical Context:

The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the most intense and historic in international cricket. The two countries have a long-standing dispute over Kashmir, which has led to tensions and boycotts in various forms of sports, including cricket. In 2019, India withdrew from a proposed bilateral series with Pakistan, citing the Pulwama attack, which killed 40 Indian security personnel. Since then, there have been few instances of bilateral cricket matches between the two countries.

In 2023, India did not travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, and their matches were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model. This decision was taken due to security concerns and the tense political situation between the two countries.

The ICC Champions Trophy is a premier international cricket tournament, and Pakistan was awarded the hosting rights for the 2025 edition. The tournament is scheduled to take place in Pakistan, and the Indian cricket team’s participation has been a topic of discussion.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• The Indian cricket team’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is uncertain due to reports that the government may not grant clearance to travel to Pakistan. • The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not made a formal decision on the matter, but some reports suggest that the BCCI will raise the issue with the ICC at the upcoming general meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka. • An old video of former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has resurfaced, where he expressed concerns over player safety in Pakistan and said that India can survive without Pakistan. • Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has claimed that it is Pakistan’s right to host the Champions Trophy and that India must travel to the country, citing examples of India’s kabaddi and tennis teams playing in Pakistan. • The debate has sparked a lively discussion on social media, with some arguing that India should not travel to Pakistan due to security concerns, while others believe that the team should participate and maintain sporting ties with Pakistan. • The BCCI’s decision on the matter is yet to be made, and it remains to be seen whether India will ultimately participate in the tournament.