Rajeev Shukla Affirms Indian Government’s Role in Cricket Ties with Pakistan
BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla stated that the resumption of cricket ties between India and Pakistan relies on Indian government clearance. Shukla praised Pakistan for successfully hosting the Champions Trophy, and clarified the BCCI’s policy of conducting bilateral matches solely on home ground rather than at neutral venues.
On March 5, Rajeev Shukla, the Vice-President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), addressed the issue of cricketing relations between India and Pakistan. He emphasized that any resumption of bilateral series would be contingent upon the approval of the Indian government. Shukla’s comments followed his visit to Lahore, where he attended the Champions Trophy semi-final, praising Pakistan for its successful hosting of the event.
Shukla acknowledged that it has been nearly three decades since Pakistan last hosted an ICC tournament, and he commended their organizational efforts, stating, “They have organized it well.” He reiterated the necessity of governmental involvement in cricketing matters between both nations and insisted that the BCCI must adhere strictly to the government’s decisions.
When asked about the prospect of playing bilateral series at a neutral venue, Shukla expressed skepticism. He reinforced the BCCI’s longstanding policy that such matches should occur on each country’s home ground rather than at a third site, stating, “This has been BCCI’s consistent policy.” He also highlighted that governmental consent plays a crucial role in these decisions and that any proposal for India-Pakistan matches would require thorough consideration by the Indian government.
Shukla noted that numerous countries are willing to host India-Pakistan cricket matches, but emphasized that the BCCI presents its viewpoints to the government, which ultimately makes the final decision after evaluating various aspects.
In summary, Rajeev Shukla’s remarks reflect the firm stance of the Indian government regarding cricket ties with Pakistan, stressing that any series is dependent on government approval. He recognized Pakistan’s successful hosting of the Champions Trophy while also reaffirming the BCCI’s policy against holding bilateral matches at neutral venues. Overall, the future of cricketing relations remains contingent upon government deliberation.
Original Source: www.indiatvnews.com
