Pakistan's Name on India's New Jersey for Champions Trophy 2025 – First Look Unveiled!
The Indian cricket team unveiled its new jersey for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Monday. Captain Rohit Sharma, along with Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh, posed in the new kit, which prominently features the host country's name, "Pakistan." This detail has drawn significant attention. The ICC also shared pictures of the jersey featuring award-winning players from the recent ICC Awards. The inscription on the jersey reads "Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan."
It is a customary practice for teams to have the host country's name printed on their kits for ICC tournaments. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) initially objected to including "Pakistan" on the Indian jersey, arguing that since India is not playing in Pakistan, there was no necessity for the name to be printed. The controversy was eventually resolved following ICC intervention. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the board would adhere to ICC regulations.
This marks the first time in recent history that "Pakistan" has been printed on an Indian cricket jersey. Notably, during the Asia Cup 2023, which was partially hosted in Pakistan, no team featured Pakistan’s name on their jerseys.
Meanwhile, Indian players received several accolades in the recent ICC Awards. Rohit Sharma was named in the "ICC ODI Team of the Year," while Ravindra Jadeja was included in the "ICC Test Team of the Year." Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh earned spots in the "ICC T20 Team of the Year." Additionally, Arshdeep Singh was honored with the "ICC T20 Cricketer of the Year" and "Men’s T20 Player of the Year" awards.
As part of the Champions Trophy 2025, India and Pakistan are set to face off in a much-anticipated match on February 23.