BCCI Fed Up Waiting ICC’s Decision For T20 World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not taken any decision on the proposed T20 World Cup in October-November this year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India is fed up of waiting for the International Cricket Council to decide on the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 and has decided to start planning for the year ahead. The Indian cricket board is beginning to work on this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL), irrespective of when or not the statement from the ICC arrives on the T20 World Cup. A tentative window is being drawn up and the BCCI will not wait anymore to hear from the ICC.

Treasurer ArunDhumal confirmed that the time has come for BCCI to start planning for the year ahead. “The year started on a horrible note and there’s been no relief on any front. But as time goes by, we need to take things head on and ensure that we remain prepared for any eventuality. Cricket is no different. It is time for the BCCI to start planning for the year ahead,” said Dhumal. Giving examples of other sports that are resuming gradually around the world, Dhumal said BCCI is making plans for resumption from September. “The NBA is beginning in the US in a protected zone. The English Premier League (EPL) is on and so are the FA Cup matches. Bundesliga was the first to show the way. Even Australia’s domestic rugby league is about to begin. What BCCI is talking about is the need to make contingency plans from September,” Dhumal said. IPL 2020 is likely to be conducted in the September-November window if the T20 World Cup is postponed this year.

The Indian board believes that it has lost time due to the governing body’s sluggish pace in decision-making and with building pressure from Indian cricket stakeholders. “There have been meetings after meetings. And nothing has come out of a single meeting? Even the chairman has resigned. What’s the ICC waiting for now?” multiple stakeholders said. “Those announcements and outcomes are not in our hands. The T20 World Cup, for instance, is being postponed so let the announcement come when it has to,” Dhumal said.

Also, the BCCI will work on finalizing India’s revised Future Tours Program and the domestic season when it conducts its fourth Apex Council meeting on July 17. The meeting will be held online amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The nine-member Council could also discuss the raging issue of Chinese sponsorship in the IPL.