Allegations of India's interests being ignored in ICC policies

ICC policy ignores India's interests: International cricket's governing body under fire

There is discontent among the Indian cricket community and fans over some recent decisions of the International Cricket Council (ICC). It has been alleged that India's interests are being ignored in various fixture plans, schedule of major matches and financial distribution process.

According to experts, despite Indian cricket being the biggest economic power in the world, the ICC often does not give due importance to the suggestions or demands of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). For example, some of the series proposed by India in the 2025-2027 Future Tour program have been canceled or postponed, which is clearly against Indian interests.

Besides, India is also unhappy with the selection of venues for important tournaments and the distribution of host countries. Cricket analysts say that such decisions of the ICC are harming the interests of not only India but also cricket fans in the subcontinent.

Currently, BCCI top brass has stepped up diplomatic engagement with the ICC on this issue and has indicated a stronger stance in the future.

Temba Bavuma today became the third captain to lift the Test Championship's mace of excellence after Kane Williamson and Pat Cummins. While three different teams have won the first three editions of the ICC Test Championship, one venue remains the same - all the finals were held in England.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had expressed interest in hosting a Test World Championship in the future. However, cricket's governing body the International Cricket Council (ICC) did not agree with India's interest. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is also set to award the rights to host the finals of the next three editions of the ICC Test Championship.

The 2023-25 ​​cycle of the ICC Test Championship concluded today with the South Africa-Australia final at Lord's. The 2025-27 cycle will begin on June 17 with the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Galle Test. As per the rules of the Test Championship, the participating teams will play matches on a home-away basis in each other's countries. However, the final is being held in England.

This year's Test Championship final was held at Lord's.

After Southampton in 2021 and The Oval in 2023, the Test Championship final was held at Lord's. According to the UK's Telegraph, England will host the next three editions of the ICC Test Championship, as it did for the first three editions. The ICC has informed the ECB of its position on the matter. The report, which gave England's position, said, "Despite India's interest in hosting the Test Championship final, English cricket is close to agreeing to host the next three finals."

The ECB is likely to be awarded the rights to host the next three finals next month. The ICC's annual meeting will be held in Singapore in July. However, the ECB will start work on hosting the 2027, 2029 and 2031 finals before then.

The Telegraph report said that there are several reasons for the decision to award the rights to host the Test Championship final to England, regardless of India's interests.

England has a reputation as a neutral venue and its time zone is relatively favorable for cricket-playing nations. In addition, the Test Championship final is also scheduled to take place in the summer. The weather in England in June is relatively good for finishing the game. Attendance is also a big factor.

With a diverse population in England, the final is attended by spectators and supporters of all teams. Many spectators were worried about India not being in this year's Test Championship final. After the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the owner of Lord's, reduced ticket prices, more than 75,000 spectators turned up in the first three days of the South Africa-Australia final.

The ICC is not currently giving India the priority to host the Test Championship final due to audience and regional complications. If India does not make it to the final, there are doubts whether the attendance will be as good as England's. Then, India's relations with its neighbour Pakistan are currently uneasy. The cricket teams of the two countries do not tour each other's country. If Pakistan makes it to the Test Championship final, it could cause new headaches for the ICC. All in all, the ICC is not saying 'yes' to India's interest in hosting the Test Championship final at the moment.

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