In a recent revelation, Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), announced that India will not be hosting the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. This declaration came during an interaction with journalists from the Times Group at the TOI’s office in Mumbai on Wednesday. Shah’s statement has emerged against the backdrop of the disturbances currently observed in Bangladesh, a factor which had positioned India as a possible alternative venue for the World Cup.
“They (ICC) have asked us if we would conduct the World Cup. I have categorically said no,” Shah asserted. He expounded that the monsoon season in India, coupled with preparations for hosting the women’s ODI World Cup next year, were significant considerations. “I don’t want to give any kind of signals that I want to hold consecutive World Cups,” he elaborated, clearly indicating his preference to avoid hosting back-to-back major tournaments.
Amid the turmoil in Bangladesh, the upcoming home series against Bangladesh remains a chief priority for the BCCI. Shah emphasized its importance by mentioning, “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.” Scheduled to start on September 19, this series will include two Tests and three T20Is.
The interaction also shed light on several infrastructure and developmental projects undertaken by the BCCI, notably the High Performance Centre in Bengaluru. Nearing completion, this state-of-the-art facility is set to be inaugurated next month. Shah detailed the evolution of this project, mentioning, “After I took over as the secretary in October of 2019 October, 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. The foundation was laid in my first term.”
The High Performance Centre promises to be an advanced training ground not just for cricketers but for athletes from other sports as well. It will feature three grounds and 100 pitches, including 45 indoor turfs. Notably, it will encompass a variety of pitches designed to replicate diverse international conditions, from Brisbane’s Gabba to Durban’s Kingsmead.
Shah also touched upon the initiatives to develop cricket academies in the North-East regions as well as Jammu, describing it as both a right for the states and a responsibility of the BCCI. “They have got full membership and they are part of the country. Opportunity is their right and it is our responsibility too,” Shah remarked, highlighting the importance of inclusive development. The funding for these regions has seen a significant increase, from Rs 5 crore to Rs 20 crore.
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Another key area of discussion was the role of VVS Laxman, the head of the NCA, whose contract is nearing its end in September. Shah confirmed that the BCCI intends to renew his contract to ensure continuity. “His contract will expire in September and there was speculation that the former India batsman will leave the Bengaluru facility. The BCCI will renew his contract,” he confirmed.
The conversation also veered towards the much-debated Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL). “We had a long chat about this in the recent meeting with the franchise owners. The rule has its positives and negatives. The negative is that it affects the all-rounders and the positive side is that it gives an opportunity to an extra Indian player. We should think about the broadcasters also,” Shah explained, indicating that the decision on the rule’s future will be based on comprehensive feedback.
Addressing the upcoming major auction in the IPL, Shah stipulated that the BCCI aims to balance minority and majority opinions. “We’ve heard the views of all the franchises. For us, a minority view is as important as the majority opinion. Those who have a good side said there is no need for the big auction and those without a good side wanted the big auction. Continuity is important as shuffling, for the growth of the game,” he stated.
Upcoming discussions also involve the potential expansion of the IPL to 84 games and the addition of a sixth team in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). However, no final decision has yet been taken.
On the subject of Test cricket, Shah advocated for a dedicated fund from the ICC to support the longest format of the game, acknowledging its high hosting costs. “I have suggested there should be a dedicated fund for Test cricket. It’s very expensive to host Test matches,” Shah observed. India’s reluctance to play Pink Ball Tests at home was attributed to the matches ending prematurely in two days, an outcome detrimental to spectators and broadcasters.
He further addressed why India doesn’t opt for different coaches for different formats. Highlighting the need for flexibility, Shah confirmed the preference for a unified coaching approach, provided the coach is interested in handling all formats.
In addition to infrastructure and administrative insights, Shah also touched on potential mergers in broadcast rights holders like Viacom 18 and Disney Star, underlining that the priority remains fostering the growth and brand value of Indian cricket.
In summary, the BCCI under Jay Shah’s leadership is navigating a complex landscape, balancing infrastructural developments, strategic decisions on international tournament hosting, and the continuous evolution of India’s cricketing framework to ensure sustained growth and excellence across all formats.