ICC may rule out India as T20 World Cup host

After the suspension of Indian Premier League season 14, BCCI is once again destined to get a big blow as International Cricket Council (ICC) will make a final call on T20 World Cup on June 1. Ever since India witnessed a sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, everything has taken a back seat.

Recently, the coronavirus situation in the country has shifted to a serious note. Due to the second wave of COVID-19, the BCCI was forced to postpone IPL 2021 which had reached it’s midway of the tournament. And, now BCCI may also loose the opportunity of hosting the T20 World Cup scheduled for later this year. Earlier, India was to host the prestigious tournament in October-November but now ICC will decide on the fate of the tournament on June 1.

Ahead of the Executive Board meeting of the ICC, BCCI is scheduling a Special General Meeting (SGM) on May 29 and the main concern would be to prepare their stance while attending the ICC meeting.

“The ICC is not unaware of the situation but one cannot speculate on what will be the decision on June 1. One has to wait and see,” said an informed source on the likelihood of moving the tournament to UAE, which has been kept as a reserve venue for the October 18 – November 15 tournament.

16 teams will take part in the T20 World Cup. And, with danger of a third wave of coronavirus in India. It may get very difficult to handle the situation. Considering the scenario, it is being speculated that ICC may consider hosting T20 World Cup in UAE instead of India.

Despite the growing risk of pandemic, the UAE hosted a successful season of IPL last year and with the same confidence the UAE is being considered for the upcoming event as well.

Last year, the World Cup could not be held in Australia due to the Covid-19 situation in the country. And, this year the ICC is not ready to take any risk. Australia has the right to host the T20 World Cup next year. Hence, India is now left with ODI World Cup to be held in 2023.