If the Indian cricket team does not agree to come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will have to consider other options.
Pakistan is all set to host the the Champions Trophy in February 2025. Eight teams will participate in the ICC tournament but the Indian team has not yet confirmed its participation.
If the Indian cricket team does not participate in the tournament in Pakistan, then it is possible that Sri Lanka will be included in the series in place of India.
Sri Lanka finished ninth in the group stage of the 2023 ODI World Cup points table, which means they do not qualify for the Champions Trophy.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may request the ICC to host the tournament in Sri Lanka or UAE as proposed for the Asia Cup 2023 edition.
The Asian Cricket Council had accepted a hybrid model with Pakistan and Sri Lanka co-hosting the tournament but this is unlikely to happen for the Champions Trophy.
Two days ago, Indian media claimed that the Indian team would not go to Pakistan to play next year and that the event would be held under a hybrid model, but the BCCI has denied these claims.
