Rajeev Shukla, vice president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has brushed aside the accusation of ‘political interference’ regarding the WC venues. He stated that while many venues have been accommodated in the recently released ICC World Cup 2023 schedule, Punjab, did not receive a single match in the competition because the current stadium in Mohali did not meet the standards of the ICC, whose approval is crucial in determining the tournament’s venues.
Shukla made his statement after Punjab Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer voiced his disapproval at Mohali’s absence from the World Cup schedule.
According to Hayer, Political involvement was the reason Mohali, in the province of Punjab, was left off the list of host cities for the competition. The Punjab government would bring up this matter with the BCCI, he added.
Also Read: PCA, MPCA miffed as Mohali, Indore miss out on World Cup 2023 games
Shukla said that this time 12 venues have been chosen for the mega cricketing event, something which has not happened before.
“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 centres have been accommodated.”
“From South Zone four venues, from central zone one venue, West Zone two, North Zone two venues. Delhi and Dharamshala will host the matches (In North Zone),” Shukla told ANI.
World Cup 2023 venues: Shukla Explains
According to Shukla, Mohali would receive bilateral series matches without any exceptions.
“Virat Kohli’s 100th Test last year was given to Mohali. Mullanpur Stadium is getting ready in Mohali. Had it been ready, they would have got a World Cup match. The current stadium in Mohali did not meet the standards of ICC and hence was denied matches. But that does not matches would not be given to them. Bilateral series matches will be given to them, it is based on a rotational system. No ‘pick and choosing’ has been done. ICC’s consent is important in finalising the venues. In Trivandrum, warm-up matches have been given, for the first time. It is not that any centre/zone has been ignored. Stadiums have been chosen after a lot of consideration, even in North East Zone, Guwahati got the matches. A lot of accommodation has been done in the schedule,” he added.
Shukla said that this time around, new locations have been added to the World Cup calendar.
“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 finalised. ICC has to approve these venues. It is not purely in our hands. All those raising objections should realise that we need consent from ICC to pick up these venues,” he said.
Shukla concluded by predicting that if the World Cup is a success, the ODI format will be revived internationally.
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