The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced that it will not be hosting the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in India. This revelation was made by Jay Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, during an interaction with journalists from the Times Group at the TOI office in Mumbai. Shah confirmed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) had approached BCCI to consider hosting the World Cup given the current instability in Bangladesh, which was the initial host. “They (ICC) have asked us if we would conduct the World Cup. I have categorically said no,” Shah stated firmly.
The backdrop to this decision involves ongoing political and civil unrest in Bangladesh, prompting the ICC to explore alternative venues for the tournament. India, being a neighboring cricketing powerhouse, was naturally considered a viable option. However, Shah was quick to explain the BCCI’s stance. “We’re in the monsoon and on top of that we will host the women’s ODI World Cup next year. I don’t want to give any kind of signals that I want to hold consecutive World Cups,” he elaborated.
Shah underlined the significance of the upcoming home series against Bangladesh for the BCCI, labeling it as a critical event on their cricketing calendar. “We’ve not spoken to them (the Bangladesh authorities). A new government has taken charge there. They might reach out to us or else I will reach out to them. The Bangladesh series is very important to us,” Shah emphasized. The series is set to feature two Tests and three T20Is, beginning on September 19.
In addition to the announcement regarding the Women’s T20 World Cup, Shah shed light on several initiatives and projects the BCCI is currently undertaking. One of these is the High Performance Centre in Bengaluru, a pet project of the BCCI, which is nearing completion and will be inaugurated next month. “After I took over as the secretary in October of 2019, a lot of time went towards holding the IPL because of the pandemic. The office was shut for two years. When we got the second term (in 2022), we decided that we have to take this project forward,” Shah noted. The state-of-the-art facility, featuring three grounds and 100 pitches, aims to enhance training for cricketers; it will also be available for non-cricketers.
The High Performance Centre is designed with a unique feature: it includes pitches replicating conditions worldwide, such as those at the Gabba in Brisbane and Kingsmead in Durban. Shah elaborated on this saying, “We wanted to make the best use of what we got on a platter. In 2008, we got that land and I don’t know why my predecessors didn’t use that. I am lucky that it was in my destiny to raise the academy.
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Further, Jay Shah announced the establishment of cricket academies in North-Eastern states and in Jammu. These developments aim to ensure inclusivity and growth of the game in these regions. “It’s simple. They have got full membership and they are part of the country. Opportunity is their right and it is our responsibility too,” Shah remarked. The financial support for these states has also seen a significant increase, from Rs 5 crore to Rs 20 crore.
Amid widespread speculation, Shah confirmed that VVS Laxman, head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), will continue in his role as his contract will be extended. Discussing the Impact Player rule introduced in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Shah mentioned that the BCCI is weighing its pros and cons. “We had a long chat about this in the recent meeting with the franchise owners. We had a long chat among our domestic teams also. There are positives and negatives to it,” he said.
Regarding the future of the IPL, Shah spoke about the possibility of expanding the tournament to 84 games in the coming season, although no final decision has been made. He noted, “Nothing is confirmed. We will collectively decide. We’ve to factor in the workload of the players and the window also.” Additionally, the introduction of a sixth Women’s Premier League (WPL) team is under consideration but will be finalized only when there is confidence in the availability of enough women players to support the expansion.
Addressing the need for a special fund for Test cricket, Shah mentioned ongoing discussions at the ICC. “I am a member of F&CA (Finance and Commercial Affairs) of the ICC. I have suggested there should be a dedicated fund for Test cricket. It’s very expensive to host Test matches,” he pointed out.
Shah also touched upon why India has moved away from hosting Pink Ball Tests, citing that day-night Tests in India tend to end in two days, which negatively impacts spectators and broadcasters. As for the possibility of a World Test Championship for women, he emphasized that it would be feasible only when all nations start playing Test cricket regularly.
Finally, Shah addressed the discourse around whether star players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should participate in the Duleep Trophy, suggesting it is not necessary given their demanding international schedule. He also ruled out the idea of different coaches for different formats, emphasizing the importance of continuity and respect for the coach’s preference once appointed.
These myriad initiatives and decisions reveal the BCCI’s strategic direction and prioritization ahead of a packed cricketing calendar.