The Board of Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to send its team (men and women) for the Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou in September-October. With the men's event coinciding with India's World Cup preparations, the continental tournament is expected to feature a second-string team. Shikhar Dhawan's name is being discussed for the captaincy of the Indian B team.
This decision can be sealed in its Apex Council meeting to be held on July 7. The main women's team will participate in the Asiad and will be strong contenders to win the gold medal. Cricket was last played at the Asian Games in the 2014 Incheon phase. The Indian team had not participated in that tournament nine years back. In the meeting, the current policy of participation of retired players in foreign T20 leagues will be reviewed.
There will be a discussion on upgrading the stadium
The BCCI, as per its long-standing policy, allows self-registered players to participate in overseas T20 leagues only after they have retired from international cricket and domestic cricket, which includes the IPL. Apart from this, the top BCCI officials will also decide on the 'roadmap' to 'upgrade' the stadiums for the ODI World Cup to be held on home soil.
These issues will be raised in the meeting
This ICC tournament will be held in 10 venues, most of which need repair. The board is without a broadcaster and jersey sponsor for the domestic season. Both these issues will also be discussed in the meeting. There was no sponsor logo on the shirts of the men's team during the World Test Championship final. The playing conditions for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy will also be decided, including the 'impact player' rule.
(pc amarujala)
