Amid growing uncertainty about the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, the official broadcasting partner of the tournament in India, Star Sports, has started the campaign. Star Sports has released an advertisement, even though the ICC has yet to make an official announcement about the tournament’s schedule.
The Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place in Pakistan in February. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan due to security concerns. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also rejected the idea of using a hybrid model.
Watch: Broadcasters Start Campaign Despite ICC Not Having Released Schedule
The Star Sports advertisement features prominent Indian players like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rohit Sharma, along with players from other countries. The video confirms that India will participate in the Champions Trophy.
The 20-second ad also states the tournament is “coming soon,” suggesting that even the broadcasters are unaware of the official schedule release by the International Cricket Council.
“Gear up for heart-pounding cricket action as the ICC Champions Trophy returns in 2025! Who will rise to claim the glory? 🌟 Stay tuned for #ChampionsTrophyOnStar, coming soon! #ChampionsTrophy2025,” wrote the caption in a video shared by Star Sports on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Take a look at the video below:
Gear up for heart-pounding cricket action as the ICC Champions Trophy returns in 2025! Who will rise to claim the glory? 🌟
Stay tuned for #ChampionsTrophyOnStar, coming soon! #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/UQYWjrafQx
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 9, 2024
Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule Expected to Be Released Soon
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will feature top teams like Pakistan (host), India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. However, former champions West Indies and Sri Lanka did not qualify.
The schedule, which should have been announced 90 days prior, has been delayed, but fans and broadcasters, including Star Sports, expect it to be released soon. Star Sports representatives were in Dubai to discuss the “Hybrid Model” and the schedule with ICC officials, but the meeting was postponed.
Team India Last Visited Pakistan for the Asia Cup in 2008
India last visited Pakistan for the Asia Cup in 2008. They have refused to travel to the neighboring country following the Mumbai terror attacks due to security concerns. The BCCI wants India’s matches, including the knockout matches if they qualify, to be played in another country, likely the UAE.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board has renovated stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi for the tournament, which will be Pakistan’s first ICC event since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup. The PCB has warned of a boycott of India matches in future ICC events if the Indian team refuses to visit Pakistan.