BCCI takes key decisions in Council Meet; approves India’s participation in Asian Games

With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup scheduled to commence on October 5, the cricket governing body has announced to send a second string team of men.

Nonetheless, women’s team will mark their presence in full strength.

“Considering the overlap of schedule of the Asian Games with ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, BCCI will select from the players not participating in the World Cup to play in the Asian Games,” BCCI said in a release today.

In a letter, BCCI stated that fielding a squad in the Asian Games will be difficult given the busy international calendar. India will be the favourite to win gold in both the men’s and women’s events, ANI reported.

“Through effective planning, communication and coordination, the BCCI aims to navigate those challenges successfully and contribute to the national cause by fielding a team in both men’s and women’s categories in line with the Government of India’s directions,” the board said.The Asian Games 2023 will commence on September 23 and conclude on October 8. While this is the first time that India will participate in the cricket event, Asian games have featured cricket twice- in 2010 and in 2014.Played in T20 format, Asian Games Cricket has been accorded international status by the apex cricketing body, the International Council of Cricket (ICC).

For men’s competition, Bangladesh were crowned champions in the maiden edition in 2010, while Sri Lanka went on to emerge victorious in Asian Games Cricket in 2014. However, for women’s tournament, Pakistan has won both the season played.

Foreign leagues

At the meeting held in Mumbai on Friday, the BCCI also took other key decisions including formulation of a policy for its players (including retired players) with respect to their participation in overseas T20 leagues.

With emergence of several overseas cricketing leagues, even backed by the team investors of Indian Premiere League like South African T20 League or the very recent Major League Cricket, the decision remains key as it is reckoned Indian players unable to make it for India may announce early retirement to take part in the overseas tournaments.

BCCI does not allow participation of Indian cricketers in foreign leagues until they have announced retirement in all formats of cricket including the Indian Premiere League.

In the latest, Ambati Rayudu, post his recent retirement, has become a part of America’s MLC and in the past players like Yuvraj Singh, Unmukt Chand and Robin Uthapa have featured in overseas tournaments.

World Cup Venue upgrades

Another key decision in the BCCI meet was towards the upgradation of stadiums in the country that will take place in two phases.

The first phase will deal with the upgradation of the venues of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, work for which shall be completed before the commencement of the World Cup, the release stated.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 will set the ball rolling from October 5 in Ahmedabad where England and New Zealand will face each other.

The hosts, India, will kickstart their 50-over World Cup campaign against Australia in Chennai on October 8. The big game against India’s arch-rivals Pakistan is scheduled for October 15, in Ahmedabad.

The venues for the most celebrated cricket tournament include: Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Dharamsala, Delhi, Chennai, Lucknow, Pune, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Kolkata.

However, the second phase will involve upgradation of rest of the venues.

Other key decisions

BCCI has decided to continue with the concept of Impact Player in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in the next season with two variations from previous season and the Indian Premier League.

Firstly, the teams will have to select their playing XI along with 4 substitute players before the toss.

Secondly, The teams can use the Impact Player at any time during the match. However, in the previous season of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, a team could only use the Impact Player before the 14th over of an innings.

The BCCI has also decided to introduce two bouncers per over in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to balance the contest between bat and ball.