MUMBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is unlikely to take part in the 2021 edition of the Asia Cup, which is scheduled to be hosted by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in June in the Emerald Isles.
The BCCI has decided to pull out of the event to make more space in its international calendar for conducting the bilateral series that were postponed last year owing to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. What is also worth noting is that the Indian board has little enthusiasm for the tournament on account of arch enemy Pakistan also taking part.
That is not a sentiment shared by media rights holder Disney India though. Any match-up between India and Pakistan is a guaranteed ratings blockbuster as it happens only during the Asia Cup or ICC tournaments. And seeing the sorry state of the game in Pakistan at the moment, a clash between the two teams at this point in time is as close as one can get to a shure shot Indian victory. A dream scenario for both Indian viewers and advertisers.
Additionally, it is also worth noting that the Asia Cup is likely to clash with the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) which will be hosted by the International Cricket Council in mid-June at Lord’s and where India is very much in contention.
