Rajeev Shukla Dismisses Pitch Bias Allegations: ‘Our Players Rely on Talent’

BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) vice president Rajeev Shukla was upset by questions about India's unfair benefit during their matches in Dubai for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, which has been great for spin bowlers, is where India plays all of their matches. Because of this, many experts are angry that India gets to play in conditions that suit them.

When Rajeev Shukla traveled to Pakistan to watch the tournament's second semi-final, he was asked the same question. In a smart reply to a Pakistani journalist, the BCCI vice president seemed irritated by the question, saying that India wins games based on their performance, not the pitch conditions.

“When this decision was made during the ICC meeting, it was agreed that India’s matches would be held in Dubai, while the other games would also be played there. So, it’s not about fairness or unfairness, and the Indian cricket team doesn’t rely on pitch conditions to win. There are different types of pitches in Dubai as well. India wins based on performance, the players rely on their skills, not the pitch,” Shukla said while speaking to the media at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Bilateral Ties on Hold: Decision in Government's Hands

He was also asked about the possibility of India and Pakistan resuming their bilateral cricket matches at a neutral venue. Shukla responded that the decision is in the hands of the Indian government and that the BCCI has no plans to hold a bilateral series at a neutral location.

"As for bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan, the decision rests with the government. We will follow whatever the Indian government decides. Additionally, the BCCI's policy, which I believe applies to the PCB, is that any bilateral series should be played in either of the two countries, not at a neutral venue. This has been a consistent policy of the BCCI," he added.

Pakistan recently traveled to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, while India last visited Pakistan in 2008 for the Asia Cup. Since their last bilateral ODI series in India in 2012–13, the two rivals have only faced each other in multi-nation tournaments.

Meanwhile, India reached the Champions Trophy final for the third consecutive time after defeating Australia by four wickets in the first semi-final. Led by another brilliant innings from star batsman Virat Kohli (84 off 98), the Men in Blue successfully chased down the target of 265 in 48.1 overs.

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