Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia has clarified that the Indian cricket team's Champions Trophy jerseys would include the imprint of the host country, Pakistan. Saikia denied rumours that the BCCI wanted the word 'Pakistan' taken out of their jersey's Champions Trophy 2025 logo on January 22 (Wednesday).
BCCI turns down all rumours
BCCI secretary Saikia ended the controversy around Pakistan's name on the Indian cricket team's jersey and said BCCI will follow whatever guidelines ICC formulates.
"BCCI's stand loud and clear that whatever guidelines of the ICC's Champions 2025 if they are regarding the Jersey logo, we will follow it. There was no such thing as we will violate any such guidelines. So whatever was going on in the media, I have seen it. I don't know where they have got that information. However, the BCCI has no reason to violate or not follow any of the guidelines. BCCI will follow the dress code and the logo of the champions of 2025 formulated by ICC," BCCI secretary told Sports Tak in an exclusive conversation.
The BCCI secretary refuted reports that India had objected to the official logo because the squad would not be visiting Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. India will play their group-stage matches in Dubai, although Pakistan is the official host of the Champions Trophy.
As per the rules, if India refuses to wear the official logo with the host Pakistan's name on their jersey, they will clearly violate the ICC's official dress code. It is customary for competing teams to wear jerseys bearing the name of the host country, even if the competition is held elsewhere. For instance, India's name appeared on Pakistan's jersey even though the 2021 T20 World Cup was played in the United Arab Emirates.
On February 19, Pakistan, the hosts, will play New Zealand in the Champions Trophy. India will face Bangladesh on February 20, Pakistan on February 23, and New Zealand on March 2 in their three group stage games in Dubai. Two more games, including the tournament final, will take place in the Dubai Stadium if India advances to the semifinals and final.