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'India Play On Skills,' Annoyed Rajiv Shukla Gives Befitting Reply To Pakistani Journalist

Soumyajit Dutta

BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla [Source: @CriccrazyJohns/X.com]BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla [Source: @CriccrazyJohns/X.com]

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Amid criticism over India playing all their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, a venue deemed favourable for spin, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla firmly rejected suggestions of unfair advantage during a media interaction in Lahore. 

The remarks and criticism regarding the 'undue advantage' came as India advanced to their third consecutive final, defeating Australia comfortably by four wickets in the semi-finals on March 4.

Shukla’s Retort At Pakistani Reporter

When questioned by a Pakistani journalist about India's perceived benefit from playing in spin-friendly Dubai conditions, Shukla sharply retorted.

“When this decision was being made during the ICC meeting, it was decided that India-centric matches will be played in Dubai while the remaining games will be played in Dubai. So it’s not about fair or unfair, and the Indian cricket team doesn’t play depending on pitches. There are different kinds of pitches in Dubai ground as well. India play on performance; the players play on their skills, not on the basis of the pitch. For that, Australia should have won yesterday (Tuesday). But since they lost, the final would have to be played in Dubai.”

The Dubai stadium has hosted all of India's matches in the tournament, sparking debate among pundits. However, Shukla emphasised that venue allocation was an ICC decision and reiterated India's focus on skill over external factors.

Shukla Clarifies No Bilateral India-Pakistan Series!

Shukla also addressed queries about resuming cricketing ties between India and Pakistan, stating that bilateral contests would depend on government directives. 

“As far as bilateral cricket relations between India and Pakistan is concerned, the decision is in the hands of the government. Whatever the government of India tells us, we’ll go by that. Moreover, it’s the policy of the BCCI, and I guess it would be the same for the PCB as well, that whichever bilateral games should take place on the soil of either of the two nations. It shouldn’t take place at a neutral venue—it’s a consistent policy by the BCCI,”

India last toured Pakistan during the 2008 Asia Cup, while Pakistan visited India for the 2023 ODI World Cup. The arch-rivals have not played a bilateral ODI series since 2012–13, facing off only in ICC or continental tournaments.

India’s Road to the Final

India secured their place in the Champions Trophy final after Virat Kohli's match-winning 84 guided a four-wicket victory over Australia. Chasing 265, the Men in Blue reached the target in 48.1 overs. They now will face New Zealand for the finals, who defeated South Africa on March 5.

The two cricketing heavyweights will clash on March 9 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium as fans will be able to catch the live action from 2:30 PM IST.