MUMBAI: Rahul Johri, chief executive of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has written a letter to the International Cricket Council in relation to the post-2023 events calendar and the additional events calendar 2023 the ICC has proposed.
The letter is a response to moves by ICC chairman Shashank Manohar and chief executive Manu Sawhney, pushing for a new Future Tours Program (FTP) to be passed post-2023, one that carries the idea of a ODI World Cup every three years (instead of four) and a World T20 every alternate year.
In his letter, Johri stated that BCCI cannot agree or confirm to the ICC events calendar and the additional ICC events at this stage.
The CEO highlighted various reasons for BCCI’s unwillingness to commit to the ICC event calendar post-2023.
“The BCCI elections are presently underway (nominations were filed Monday), and it will only be prudent for the new board members to deliberate and provide their inputs on this issue before any final decision is taken,” Johri states in his letter, accessed by ANI.
“The BCCI stands committed to bilateral cricket and would have continuing time requirement as in the current FTP. It is important for BCCI to fulfil all its bilateral commitments to fellow full members,” the letter further adds.
“The working group discussions are currently in progress and no recommendations have been made yet. Considering that, finalising the 2023 ICC events calendar will not only be premature but also mean that the correct procedure has not been followed. Increasing ICC events will have wide-ranging repercussions on bilateral cricket and therefore all aspects need to be discussed and analysed threadbare. It is imperative that the working group discussions are completed, and a report/ recommendation are for the ICC CEC to consider,” the letter states.
ICC events only form a part of the total cricket revenue and therefore the post-2023 FTP and increase in ICC events need to be looked at holistically.
In the letter, BCCI requests ICC to not take any decision in relation to matters regarding 2023 FTP and increase in ICC events at this stage.
