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Ace Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav has expressed his excitement about the prospect of visiting Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, despite the uncertainty surrounding India's participation in the tournament.

Pakistan is all set to host the Champions Trophy for the first time, marking a significant moment in its cricketing history.

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What are Kuldeep Yadav’s thoughts on playing in Pakistan?

During an event in Australia, Kuldeep Yadav shared his excitement about visiting India's neighbour for the first time in his life.

He expressed his excitement about the opportunity, stating, "As cricketers, we will play wherever we are sent. I have never been to Pakistan before, so I am excited. The Pakistani people are great, and whenever we get the chance, we will definitely go and play there." 

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The Return of Champions Trophy

The Champions Trophy, set to feature eight teams, will return after an eight-year hiatus. It would be the first time since the 2008 Asia Cup that India would visit Pakistan if the tour gets approved.

Although both countries have faced each other in various ICC tournaments over the years, bilateral series between them have been absent for over a decade.

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Will India receive approval to participate in the Tournament?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet confirmed India's participation, stating that the final decision rests with the Indian government's Ministry of External Affairs.

Historically, the Indian government has not allowed the national cricket team to visit Pakistan due to ongoing political tensions between the two countries.

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The strained diplomatic relations have often led to India’s refusal to participate in cricketing events held in Pakistan, making the potential visit for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy uncertain.

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Saurav Goyal Photo

Saurav Goyal is a content producer for The Sporting News’ India edition.