The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may face a significant setback regarding hosting the World Test Championship (WTC) Final. The BCCI had proposed to the ICC that India host the WTC Final, but reports suggest the next three WTC Finals will be held in England.
Sports News: The BCCI might receive a major blow from the International Cricket Council (ICC). The BCCI has long been striving to host the World Test Championship (WTC) Final in India, but reports indicate that the ICC is poised to select England again to host the next three WTC Finals. This directly implies that India might have to wait at least eight years to host a WTC Final.
England Remains ICC's Top Choice
Since the inception of the WTC in 2021, all final matches have been held in England.
- First Final: India vs New Zealand – Southampton (2021)
- Second Final: India vs Australia – The Oval, London (2023)
- Third Final: Australia vs South Africa – Lord's, London (2025)
Now, reports suggest the ICC is preparing to choose English venues for the 2027 and 2029 Finals as well. If this decision is formally announced at the ICC Annual Conference in Singapore in July 2025, all WTC Finals from 2021 to 2029 will be played in England.
India's Efforts Prove Fruitless
The BCCI had proposed hosting at least one final in India in 2027 or 2029. Reports suggest the BCCI argued that India boasts a massive Test cricket fan following and possesses world-class venues like Eden Gardens, Narendra Modi Stadium, and M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. Despite this, the ICC appears to have compelling reasons to favor England's candidature:
- England's June weather is considered ideal for Test cricket.
- England has a long-standing tradition of Test matches and robust logistical facilities.
- The ICC considers England a more suitable neutral venue.
Jay Shah's Influence Unproven?
Interestingly, Jay Shah, the former BCCI secretary, is considered a b contender (or potentially will be until an official announcement) for the ICC chairmanship. Despite this, India's failure to secure the WTC Final hosting rights surprises many cricket experts. This raises questions about whether India's political power and economic dominance are not translating into significant weight in Test cricket hosting decisions.
If England is awarded the hosting rights for the 2027 and 2029 Finals, India's next opportunity will be the 2031 WTC Final. This means the BCCI may have to wait at least eight years before it can host a World Test Championship Final.
