‘I flatly refused’: Jay Shah on India hosting women’s T20 World Cup

Bangladesh are scheduled to host the women’s T20 World Cup this October and the political unrest in the country has raised security concerns, with thoughts of having a backup ready to host the tournament elsewhere if need arises. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has outrightly rejected any possibility of India hosting the tournament.
BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, visited TOI’s Mumbai office on the eve of India’s 78th Independence Day and confirmed India’s stand during an interaction.

“They had asked the BCCI if we can host the event, but I flatly refused,” said Shah. “We would be still in the monsoon season (this October) and next year we are going to host the ODI Women’s World Cup. I do not want to give the impression that I want to host consecutive World Cups.”

Shah also announced that the new state-of-the-art National Cricket Academy (NCA) will soon come up on the outskirts of Bengaluru in September and will also be available to the country’s Olympic athletes.
“We are going to make it available for Olympic sportspersons too, like Neeraj Chopra,” said Shah.
On the question whether India will host pink-ball Tests in the forthcoming season, Shah ruled out that possibility.
“No, there are no provisions,” he said. “Pink-ball Tests get over within two days in India. As a result, spectators lose money, broadcasters lose money. We need to look at sentiments also. As a fan, you go to a cricket match and buy a ticket for five days, but the game gets over within two-three days. There is no refund. So I am slightly emotional in this case.”