Mr Jaishankar may have been talking metaphorically, but cricket is taking on literal meaning in Indian foreign policy. The country’s biggest passion is now an active diplomatic tool—especially with Pakistan.

India and Pakistan reached a settlement over the upcoming Champions Trophy after a long dispute but their strained relationship continues to haunt cricket.

The International Cricket Council has confirmed India will not play in Pakistan during the Champions Trophy next year.

This showdown between the two arch-rivals will be part of a tournament set to return after a hiatus since 2017.

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Matches between politically-estranged Asian rivals India and Pakistan at major ICC events that either nation is due to host will be played at a neutral venue, the International Cricket Council said on Thursday.

After a draw against Australia, India's hopes of reaching the final were significantly dented, but Pakistan could help

Matches featuring India and Pakistan in ICC events until 2027 hosted in either country to be staged at neutral venues; ICC to confirm match schedule for Champions Trophy, which starts in February live on Sky Sports,

Their perfunctory statement on the resolution is, by one count, six paragraphs long. By another, less generous, count, it is actually six sentences long, two of which spell out the decision and two being space fillers about a schedule that will come soon and about how many teams will take part.

Pakistan's former cricketers expressed satisfaction with the ICC's decision to hold Champions Trophy matches at a neutral venue. India will play its Champions Trophy matches outside India, and in return,

Aakash Chopra believes the ICC's hybrid model for Champions Trophy 2025 safeguards Pakistan Cricket Board's reputation and finances, even as India's refusal to travel altered the tournament's hosting dynamics.