India eyes hosting rights for 2027 World Test Championship Final

India is preparing to submit a formal proposal to the International Cricket Council (ICC) this summer to host the 2027 World Test Championship (WTC) final. This would mark the first time the WTC final is held outside of England, if India happens to host.

The previous two WTC finals were conducted in England, where the first cycle final in 2021 was held at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, and the 2023 final at The Oval. This year's final is set to happen between Australia and South Africa, and will take place at Lord’s, which will begin on June 11.

India’s bid will present several logistical and political challenges. India to host the final would disrupt England’s summer Test scheduling which will require the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to adjust its domestic calendar to accommodate an additional home Test.

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The ICC is concerned about potential poor ticket sales if India fails to qualify for the final, and the risk is less in England. The WTC 2025 final has already sold tickets for four days, and the 2023 final was sold out even though England had not played in the match.

The more significant concern involves geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. If Pakistan were to qualify for the final and India hosted the event, the last-minute venue change could seriously impact logistics and planning. The tensions between the countries are heightened by the recent air strikes in the Kashmir region.

Indian team head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed strong opposition to any form of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan.

“My personal answer to this is absolutely no. Until all this stops, there should not be anything between India and Pakistan. No cricket match or Bollywood or other interaction is more important than the life of Indian soldiers and Indian citizens,” Gambhir said as quoted by The Guardian.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is represented on the ICC committee by Arun Singh Dhumal, while Jay Shah currently serves as ICC chairman. If the bid proceeds, it may be perceived as a foregone conclusion.

Meanwhile, the 2023–25 WTC cycle will conclude with the upcoming final and followed by the next WTC series starting on June 20, where England hosts India in a five-Test series.