India’s Champions Trophy 2025 jersey unveiled with ‘Pakistan’ imprint

The Indian cricket team has unveiled its official jersey for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and it has already sparked discussions. What has caught the eye of fans and experts alike is the presence of the host nation's name, Pakistan, imprinted on the jersey. The revelation comes just days before India’s first match in the tournament, scheduled for February 20 against Bangladesh.

The new jersey was showcased in an event where key Indian players like Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh were seen donning the fresh design. The ICC shared official photographs of the players receiving their ICC awards and team caps while wearing the new kit. The presence of "Pakistan" on India’s jersey is part of the official tournament logo, which follows ICC regulations.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that India will adhere to the global cricket body's guidelines, putting an end to speculation that the team might refuse to wear jerseys featuring Pakistan’s name. This move has stirred discussions as it is an unusual occurrence—during the Asia Cup 2023, which was also hosted by Pakistan, the jerseys of the competing teams did not include the host nation’s name.

Meanwhile, in the ICC awards, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma was included in the ODI team of the year, while Ravindra Jadeja was named in the Test team. Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh secured their spots in the T20I team of the year, with Arshdeep also bagging the prestigious T20I Cricketer of the Year award for his stellar performances.

India’s Champions Trophy campaign will kick off on February 20 against Bangladesh. The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash is set for February 23 in Dubai, a match that promises to be one of the tournament’s biggest highlights. India’s final group-stage fixture will be against New Zealand on March 2.

The Champions Trophy 2025 officially begins on February 19, with hosts Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi. India, placed in Group A, will need to navigate tough challenges against Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh to progress further in the tournament. With the jersey controversy stirring reactions, all eyes are now on Team India’s performance on the field.