DUBAI: The saga surrounding India’s jersey for the 2025 Champions Trophy has come to an end with the official unveiling of the kit for the two-time Champions Trophy-winning team.
However, the design is still being debated as the newly released kit features the name “Pakistan” along with the tournament’s official logo. This is a rare instance where the name of the host nation is prominently printed on the Indian team’s jersey.
Ahead of the tournament, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released images from the official photoshoot of the Indian team, which shows star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma posing in the new jersey for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. While the jersey features the usual blue colour and the sponsor logo, which stands for “Pakshistan”. The debate has erupted online.
Despite the controversy, the inclusion of Pakistan’s name follows the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) standard practice for major tournaments, where the host nation’s name is included in the official branding. The BCCI’s decision is in line with the ICC’s efforts to recognise the host nation during such a major event. This is not the first time that a host nation’s name has been featured on jerseys at ICC tournaments, with similar practices seen in past events as well.
As the debate over India’s jersey fades into the background, the focus has shifted to the action on the field. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be an exciting spectacle, with passionate fans from both countries eagerly awaiting the action, which has been fuelled by the historic rivalry between India and Pakistan.
