Bangladesh Refuses to Play T20 World Cup Matches in India—But BCCI Isn't Worried About the Money
What's Happened
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially told the International Cricket Council (ICC) that their national team won't be travelling to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is set to start on 7 February 2026. This decision comes after a period of rising tension and controversy, particularly involving star bowler Mustafizur Rahman.
Why Bangladesh Is Boycotting
Security Concerns: The BCB, reportedly under pressure from the current interim government in Bangladesh, has cited the safety and security of its players as the main reason for refusing to play on Indian soil.
Request to Move Matches:
Bangladesh has asked the ICC to relocate their scheduled matches out of India to a neutral or alternative venue.
What It Means for the Tournament
The T20 World Cup is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh was originally scheduled to play four key matches in India:
- 7 February: vs West Indies (Kolkata)
- 9 February: vs Italy (Kolkata)
- 14 February: vs England (Kolkata)
- 17 February: vs Nepal (Mumbai)
According to reports, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), led by Jay Shah, has already started the process of relocating these specific matches.
Will the BCCI Lose Money?
A big question is whether the BCCI stands to lose a significant amount of money because of this boycott.
Ticket Sales:
It's estimated that around 220,000 tickets could have been sold for these four matches, with potential revenue ranging between ₹7 crore and ₹30 crore (roughly £650,000 to £2.8 million).
The ICC Factor: Because the ICC Business Corporation owns the ticket rights for World Cup events, the BCCI doesn't receive the full ticket revenue anyway. Therefore, the direct financial hit to the Indian board is expected to be minimal.
Backup Plans: The BCCI reportedly has "Plan B" options, such as scheduling matches between other teams in those slots to recover potential losses in hospitality and local sponsorship.
The Bottom Line
The report suggests that whilst the boycott is a significant diplomatic and sporting setback, the BCCI isn't overly concerned about the financial consequences. They're moving forward with the tournament logistics, assuming Bangladesh will only play their fixtures outside of India. The final decision now rests with the ICC on how to handle the scheduling changes.
In short: Bangladesh won't play in India, but the BCCI has already got a backup plan—and the money won't be a major problem.