The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly want to host the World Test Championship final after the WTC cycle and had submitted the intention for the bid for the 2027 final at the meeting of the ICC Chief Executives Committee in Zimbabwe last month.
The last two editions of the World Test Championship (WTC) final, including the inaugural season, were played in England, and the upcoming WTC final will also be hosted by England, which is scheduled to take place between South Africa and Australia at the iconic Lord's Stadium from June 11.
“The Guardian has learned that India expressed their intention to bid for the 2027 final at a meeting of the ICC’s chief executives committee in Zimbabwe last month. The Board of Control for Cricket in India is represented on the ICC committee by its chief executive, Arun Singh Dhumal, while his predecessor Jay Shah is chair of the ICC, so a formal Indian bid would be regarded as a fait accompli,” the report in The Guardian stated.
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India featured in the last two editions of the WTC final, where the 2021 WTC final was played in Southampton, England. In this, India lost to New Zealand in the final. After this, the final of the year 2023 was played at The Oval ground and in this too India lost to Australia in the final.
What concern did the England Cricket Board raised?
After India's claim to host the WTC final, the England Cricket Board has raised a concern. Because it was a full-house show in England in the last two finals of the World Test Championship so far. Despite the host nation, England did not feature in the finale. The third edition of the WTC final will also take place in England and all the tickets for the decider has been sold out. Considering the situation, the England Board has expressed concern that if India does not go to the final, then all the tickets for the final to be held in their country should be sold. Apart from this, another question arises that what will happen if the Pakistan team reaches the final of the World Test Championship 2027? Team India will start the cycle of the World Test Championship 2027 with a five-Test series on the England tour next month.