BCCI says 'categorical no' to hosting

BCCI secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that India will not be hosting the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup.

Bangladesh are the designated hosts of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. However, due to political unrest in the nation, the ICC had been contemplating a change of venue, especially after the governments of several participating nations issued travel advisories to their citizens against visiting Bangladesh.

There are precedents of World Cups being moved from designated nations. When COVID-19 peaked, the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup had to be moved out of India to Oman and the UAE, though India remained the designated “hosts”. More recently, the 2024 Under-19 World Cup was moved from Sri Lanka, after their board was suspended by the ICC, to South Africa.

However, with that, Sri Lanka or the UAE are the potential remaining options.

“They (ICC) have asked us if we would conduct the World Cup. I have categorically said no,” said Shah. “We’re in the monsoon and on top of that we will host the women’s ODI World Cup next year. I don’t want to give any kind of signals that I want to hold consecutive World Cups.”

India had hosted the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup and, as Shah mentioned, will host the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. Along with Sri Lanka, they will also co-host the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.

If the World Cup is indeed moved anywhere in Asia, the UAE is the likeliest option, for Sri Lanka typically receives rain in October.