ICC Denies BCCI's Request for WTC Finals in India

World Test Championship Finals to Remain in England

Cricket enthusiasts in India were looking forward to hosting a World Test Championship (WTC) Final, but they will have to wait longer. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly rejected the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s proposal to hold the prestigious Test tournament in India. Instead, England will continue to be the venue for upcoming WTC Finals.

Upcoming Finals Scheduled in England

According to a report from a UK publication, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is on the verge of finalizing an agreement with the ICC, which will see the WTC Finals of 2027, 2029, and 2031 hosted in England. This decision ensures that England remains the sole host for all WTC Finals held to date.

The report highlighted that despite India's keen interest in hosting the event, 'English cricket is close to securing hosting rights for the next three WTC finals.'

Previous Finals and Future Plans

The inaugural WTC Final took place in Southampton in 2021, followed by the 2023 edition at The Oval in London. Most recently, the 2025 Final was held at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, where South Africa claimed the title.

The ICC's Annual Conference in Singapore next month is expected to formalize this decision, with preparations for the 2027 final commencing shortly after the current edition concludes.

BCCI's Proposal for Rotating Hosts Turned Down

The BCCI had pushed for a rotation of the WTC Final among various Test-playing nations to broaden the event's reach. However, the ICC, under Chairman Jay Shah, opted to maintain England as the fixed venue for the next three finals, citing logistical and practical reasons.