BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla was quick to respond and clear the air around the viral video of his reported statement on the recent India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 controversy circulating on social media. The T20 World Cup 2026 kicked off in February, and the much-awaited India vs Pakistan match is all set and confirmed to be played in Colombo on February 15.
Former Pakistani captain Shoaib Malik displayed a poorly generated clone of Rajeev Shukla’s voice in an apparent attempt to shape a narrative around the ongoing T20 World Cup on a show. The cricket talk show on ARY News broadcast a purported audio clip of Shukla reacting to Pakistan’s dramatic – yet widely anticipated – U-turn on its proposed boycott of the high-voltage India-Pakistan clash after weeks of controversial stand-off between the PCB and the ICC.
ALSO READ: South Africa vs Afghanistan 'Humdinger' Invokes 'Incredible' Reactions From Cricket Fraternity
"A video of my remarks on the India-Pakistan World Cup match has been manipulated using AI to alter the audio. These statements are not mine. I urge everyone not to believe or circulate this misleading content and to report it wherever such videos are seen," Rajeev Shukla said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
What Exactly Did Rajeev Shukla Say In Viral Video?
"I would like to show you a clip of BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla," Malik is heard saying before playing the questionable audio.
In the clip, a voice (poorly) resembling Shukla’s says: “I am delighted to see the outcome of the deliberations initiated by the ICC representative on the repeated requests by BCCI to convince Pakistan to play against India. It’s a good solution, an amicable solution which has been found to give priority to cricket, important to the game. This is what has been done."
ALSO READ: Australia Rule Injured Mitchell Marsh Out Of Ireland Match, Steve Smith Rushed In As Cover
Interestingly, as per the real video, Rajeev Shukla had thanked the ICC for facilitating discussions and ensuring that the marquee India-Pakistan encounter would be played as scheduled.
"I would like to thank the ICC chairman (Jay Shah) and its office-bearers on behalf of the BCCI for finding a very good solution. After discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Bangladesh Cricket Board, and after listening to all sides, this decision has been taken," Shukla had said.
"This decision is very important for cricket. Cricket must go on, and the World Cup will now be a big success. This is a big achievement as far as the ICC is concerned. Even the Bangladesh Cricket Board has praised the ICC, so it has listened to all sides and arrived at the decision after taking into consideration the interests of everyone," he had added.