Positive signs regarding participation in the Champions Trophy are emerging from across the border. The secretary of the Indian Cricket Board, Jay Shah, has declared the next ODI event and Test Championship as the team's targets after the T20 World Cup.

According to details, with the conclusion of the ICC T20 World Cup co-hosted by the USA and West Indies, attention is now focused on the next mega event, the Champions Trophy, which will be played in Pakistan in the next year in the ODI format. The proposed schedule has been sent by the Pakistan Cricket Board to the ICC, according to which the tournament will start on February 19 and the decisive match will be held on March 9.

There were doubts regarding India's participation in the tournament. Last year, the BCCI had refused to send the team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup as well. The PCB managed to save the hosting rights through the so-called hybrid model but ended up complicating the situation for its own team.

Now, after the victory in the T20 World Cup, the possibility of the Indian team coming to Pakistan has increased. In this regard, a statement from the cricket board's secretary Jay Shah has also come forward, in which he has declared the titles of the Champions Trophy and Test Championship as the next targets for his team. Although he has not currently mentioned sending the team to Pakistan, the PCB's firm stance this time is that it will host the Champions Trophy in its own country at any cost.

It has also been suggested that all of India's matches be held in one city, Lahore. Regarding the T20 victory, Jay Shah said that as our team is improving, our next targets are the World Test Championship final and the Champions Trophy, in which our current squad, including senior players, will participate.

He was referring to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have retired from the T20 International format but continue to play ODI and Test cricket. Thus, both can be seen in action during the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Jay Shah further stated that the same captain led the team to the final of the Test Championship last year. We won all the matches to reach there, but the Australian team played better in the final, so we lost. This time, our team performed better and worked hard. Experience matters; you cannot experiment much in a World Cup. A good player knows when to retire from the game. Look at Rohit Sharma's strike rate; it is better than many young players. I want India to win all the titles together. We currently have a great bench strength. For instance, only three players from this team will go on the next tour of Zimbabwe. If needed, we can field three teams at the same time.

Meanwhile, preparations for hosting the Champions Trophy in Pakistan are progressing rapidly. ICC pitch consultants and security experts have also reviewed the host venues. Upgradation work is ongoing at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The central building has been demolished and will be rebuilt. The venue is being prepared to host major competitions. Experts are hopeful that the Indian team will come to Pakistan to play. If the BCCI officially confirms its participation in the event, all matches will be held in Lahore.

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