On the political interference in the ICC World Cup venue, the Indian Cricket Board is replying that Mohali meets the ICC standards.
After the release of the ICC World Cup 2023 Schedule, political interference has started on the venues. To which the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has responded. In fact, Punjab is unhappy over Mohali Cricket Stadium not being given the hosting rights in the World Cup. After which Punjab Government’s Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said that Mohali did not get World Cup matches due to political interference.
Darasal, BCCA vice-president Rajeev Shukla has given a statement to news agency NI that Punjab’s Mohali Stadium did not get a single World Cup match because it does not meet ICC standards and the ICC’s consent is very important in deciding the venue. It is necessary.
The Sports Minister of Punjab had given a statement saying that the exclusion of Mohali from the list of host cities of the tournament was due to political interference. The Punjab government will take up the issue with the BCCI.
During this, Rajeev Shukla said that this is happening for the first time that 12 venues have been selected for the World Cup. Earlier, so many venues were not selected in the last World Cup. Out of these 12 venues, the practice matches will be held in Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati. While the rest of the places will have league matches.
Also, the vice-president of the board said, “Last year, Mohali was given Virat Kohli’s 100th Test match. Mullanpur Stadium is getting ready in Mohali. Had it been ready, he would have got a World Cup match. But Mohali has not lived up to the standards of the ICC.
However, Shukla said that the bilateral series matches will be given to him as they are based on the rotational system. No pick and choosing is done. ICC’s consent is necessary to finalize the venue.