Hours before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 opener between the Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Apex Council will convene in Kolkata on Saturday, March 22. The Health Ministry's recommendation to discourage alcohol and tobacco product ads during cricket matches is one of the main topics that will be discussed.
BCCI calls for big meeting
Sports Tak has learnt that the BCCI Apex Council will discuss sponsorships from cryptocurrency and tobacco companies. Notably, earlier in March, the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare wrote to Arun Dhumal, the chairman of the Indian Premier League. "all forms of tobacco/alcohol advertising, including surrogate advertisements, within the stadium premises where the games and related IPL events are held, as well as during telecast sessions on national television," the letter urged the organizers to strictly prohibit.
Additionally, the Health Ministry recommended that athletic associations nationwide discourage athletes from directly or indirectly advocating or promoting alcohol or tobacco-related items.
Discussion on Women's World Cup venues
A Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup, which is slated to take place in India, will also be discussed by the Apex Council. Since 2013, this will be India's first Women's World Cup, and the BCCI is eager to make sure it is a top-tier competition. At Saturday's Apex Council meeting, the venues for the Women's World Cup, which is set for October, will also be discussed.
Choosing the locations for the Test series against South Africa and the West Indies in the forthcoming home season is another crucial task on the menu. In October, the senior men's squad will play two Test matches against the West Indies. From November to December, they will play two Test matches, three ODIs, and five T20 Internationals against South Africa. Following India's tour of England, where the team will play five Test matches from June 20 to August 5, the men's home season will begin.
A major issue of discussion during the meeting will also be the structure of domestic competitions. The Ranji Trophy was played in two halves, with the Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-over) and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (20-over) competitions conducted in between. The Duleep Trophy was reformed for the 2024–25 season.