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‘No pick and choose’: BCCI responds to ‘political interference’ charges at ICC World Cup venues

ICC World Cup 2023 schedule was released on Tuesday and it attracted criticism from various political leaders who claimed that the cricket board has preferred some venues and ignored others. The Board of Control of Cricket (BCCI) responded to the allegations on Wednesday with Vice President Rajiv Shukla affirming that the concurrence of the International Cricket Council (ICC) is very crucial while finalizing the venues.

“For the first time, 12 venues have been chosen for World Cup. Earlier, these many venues were not chosen in previous World Cups. Out of these 12 venues, warm-up matches will be held in Trivandrum and Guwahati, remaining venues will have league matches. More centers have been accommodated," Rajiv Shukla said.

"From South Zone Four venues, from central Zone One venue, West Zone Two, and North Zone Two venues. Delhi and Dharamshala will host the matches (In North Zone)," he added. 

Rajiv Shukla also shared details about the new venues selected to host the ICC World Cup 2023 matches. "Lucknow has been added. Uttar Pradesh never got a chance to host a World Cup match. Guwahati has been given a chance. Many venues from the South have been added. A fair amount of consideration was given before venues were finalized. ICC has to approve these venues. It is not purely in our hands. All those raising objections should realize that we need consent from ICC to pick up these venues," he said.

Exclusion of major stadium

The political furore was particularly on major stadiums like Mohali, Indore, Rajkot, Ranchi, and Nagpur missing from the list of ICC World Cup 2023 venues. Punjab's Sports Minister alleged "political interference" in the decision of venues.

"The exclusion of Punjab's Mohali from the list of host cities for the tournament was due to political interference. Punjab government will raise this issue with BCCI," Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said.

On the exclusion of Mohali Stadium Rajiv Shukla said that “had it been ready according to the standards of the ICC, the stadium would have got the World Cup match."