The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to establish an organising committee for the Women’s One Day International (ODI) World Cup and finalise the venues for the prestigious tournament, which India will host later this year.
These key decisions will be taken at the BCCI Apex Council’s emergent meeting in Kolkata on 22 March.
The meeting will take place just before the opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens.
This will be the first time since 2013 that India is hosting the Women’s ODI World Cup. While the tournament is scheduled for October, the official schedule is yet to be confirmed.
According to the agenda accessed by PTI, discussions will revolve around the formation of a Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the event and the selection of venues.
India’s women’s cricket team has previously reached the finals of the 50-over World Cup twice but fell short on both occasions. The team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will be aiming to secure its first-ever ICC trophy on home soil.
The Apex Council will also deliberate on the structure for the 2025-26 domestic season. India is set to host West Indies and South Africa in a home series, and the meeting is expected to decide the venues for the Test matches against these teams.
Additionally, with a new set of office-bearers now in place, the Council will approve a change in signatories to the bank accounts operated by the BCCI.
BCCI to Ban Tobacco and Crypto Sponsorships
In response to a recent directive from the Indian government, the BCCI is expected to ban all tobacco-related sponsorships, including surrogate advertising, during the upcoming IPL season.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had earlier instructed the board to prohibit tobacco and alcohol promotions in cricket.
The Apex Council will discuss this directive in the meeting and extend the ban to sponsorships from cryptocurrency brands. This matter is specifically listed as an agenda item under "discussion regarding sponsorship from tobacco and crypto brands."
With these major decisions on the table, the upcoming meeting will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Indian cricket, particularly in terms of governance, sponsorship policies, and preparations for hosting a successful Women’s World Cup.
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