Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson expressed regret over India’s inability to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, calling it “unfortunate.” However, he added that the tournament presents an opportunity for star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to break free from their recent form struggles.
Under the ‘Hybrid’ model for this edition, India will play its matches at a neutral venue in Dubai. Watson acknowledged the disappointment but stressed the significance of India-Pakistan games, especially in ICC events.
“It’s unfortunate that India isn’t going to Pakistan for this Champions Trophy, but that’s the reality right now,” Watson said during the Champions Trophy Tour media event.
He emphasized the importance of the Champions Trophy in the global cricket calendar, noting it fills the gap between two ODI World Cups and maintains the relevance of the format amid the growing dominance of Test cricket and T20 leagues.
“The Champions Trophy provides a critical break in the four-year gap between World Cups. It keeps one-day cricket alive, offering that perfect balance with Test and T20 formats,” he added.
