India says Pakistani players can visit for multilateral events but bilateral competitions remain off table
India Says Pakistani Players Can Visit for Multilateral Events — But Bilateral Cricket Remains Frozen
Here is a geopolitical bombshell that every cricket fan in South Asia is talking about: India says Pakistani players can visit for multilateral events, but the door to bilateral series remains firmly shut. This carefully worded diplomatic position, reaffirmed in 2025, signals a nuanced shift — one that keeps the spirit of sport alive while keeping political tensions firmly in frame. The iconic venues that could host such historic matches are now at the center of global sports conversation.
The Official Stance — What India Has Actually Said
In early 2025, the Indian government reiterated its long-standing policy: Pakistani athletes, including cricketers, are welcome on Indian soil only when the competition is part of a multilateral sporting event — think ICC tournaments, Asian Games, or the Olympic qualifiers. The statement came amid mounting pressure from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and cricket boards worldwide who are eager to see the two cricketing giants share a field regularly.
The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi confirmed that bilateral cricket — meaning India vs. Pakistan series played on home-and-away terms — remains suspended indefinitely. The last bilateral series between the two nations on Indian soil took place in 2012-13, making it over a decade of cricketing separation. This makes every ICC event featuring both teams feel like a once-in-a-generation spectacle.
“India says Pakistani players can visit for multilateral events, and that position remains consistent with our national interest and security considerations,” a senior government official was quoted saying in March 2025.
The Famous Venues Caught in the Middle
The stadiums that would be the natural homes of an India-Pakistan bilateral series are among the most celebrated cricket grounds on the planet. Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with a jaw-dropping capacity of 132,000 seats, is the largest cricket stadium in the world. Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru have all hosted legendary India-Pakistan encounters during ICC events over the years.
These venues attract millions of visitors annually. International tourists and cricket pilgrims from across the globe flock to cities like Mumbai and Ahmedabad specifically to experience the electric atmosphere of Indian cricket. During the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium was sold out within minutes for the India-Pakistan group stage clash — one of the most-watched sporting events in human history, drawing an estimated 350 million TV viewers globally.
Celebrity Visitors and the Star Power Behind These Grounds
These famous cricket venues are not just sports arenas — they are red-carpet destinations. Bollywood royalty Shah Rukh Khan, who co-owns Kolkata Knight Riders, is a permanent fixture at Eden Gardens. His love for cricket tourism and live matches has made him a global ambassador for the sport. He is famously known to travel with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, often spotted capturing moments in the stands and sharing them on social media.
Hollywood actor Will Smith visited Mumbai during a promotional tour and made a surprise appearance at Wankhede Stadium, calling it “one of the most electric places I have ever been.” Global music icon Dua Lipa, who performed in India in 2024, also toured the iconic stadiums during her visit, marveling at their sheer scale. International cricket stars like Ben Stokes and Pat Cummins have publicly stated that playing at these venues — even under multilateral event conditions — is a career highlight.
What Smartphones Are Tourists Bringing to These Venues?
With India’s cricket venues becoming global tourist attractions, the technology visitors carry tells its own story. Here are the most popular smartphones among tourists visiting famous Indian cricket stadiums in 2025:
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max — The top choice for international tourists, praised for its 48MP camera system that captures the sprawling grandeur of Narendra Modi Stadium perfectly.
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra — Hugely popular among South Asian cricket fans for its 200MP sensor and AI-powered zoom, ideal for catching action from the upper tiers.
- Google Pixel 9 Pro — Beloved by travel bloggers and content creators visiting iconic venues for its computational photography capabilities.
- OnePlus 13 — A popular mid-range choice among domestic Indian cricket tourists offering outstanding camera performance at a competitive price point.
India Says Pakistani Players Can Visit — But Here’s What That Really Means for Fans
For fans planning trips around India-Pakistan fixtures in multilateral events, this opens a very specific — but incredibly exciting — travel window. The next major opportunity is likely during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and upcoming ICC events through 2026. When India says Pakistani players can visit for multilateral events, it essentially means fans from both nations can converge on Indian venues for those specific fixtures.
Travel tips for cricket tourists visiting Indian venues:
- Best time to visit: October to March offers the most comfortable weather for outdoor cricket in most Indian cities.
- Top hotels near Narendra Modi Stadium: The Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad and Marriott Ahmedabad are the preferred luxury stays for international cricket visitors.
- Flights: Direct international flights into Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Kolkata operate from Dubai, London, and Singapore, with ticket prices ranging from $400 to $900 return depending on season.
- Ticket booking: ICC event tickets sell out within hours — set alerts on BookMyShow and the official ICC ticketing portal well in advance.
The Bigger Picture — Sport, Diplomacy, and Hope
The fact that India says Pakistani players can visit for multilateral events is itself a statement of diplomatic minimalism — keeping the door cracked open while bilateral wounds remain unhealed. Cricket analysts and former players like Kapil Dev and Wasim Akram have both publicly argued that more cricket between the two nations could serve as a genuine bridge for peace. Until then, every ICC encounter carries the weight of a bilateral series, making these famous venues feel even more loaded with history and emotion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Pakistani cricketers play in India in 2025?
Yes, but only during officially sanctioned multilateral events such as ICC tournaments. India has confirmed that Pakistani players can visit for such events, but bilateral series remain suspended as of 2025.
When was the last India-Pakistan bilateral cricket series?
The last bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan took place in 2012-13, when Pakistan toured India. Since then, the two teams have only met in ICC and Asia Cup events.
Which Indian cricket stadium is the largest in the world?
Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, holds the title of the world’s largest cricket stadium with a seating capacity of approximately 132,000 spectators.
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