Reports: ICC rejects India's ambition to host WTC Finals
Since its beginning in 2019, the WTC has had two champions, New Zealand in 2021 at Southampton and Australia in 2023 at The Oval.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly set to continue hosting the World Test Championship (WTC) Final in England for the next three editions, 2027, 2029, and 2031, rejecting the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) interest in hosting the marquee event.
Since its beginning in 2019, the WTC has had two champion, New Zealand in 2021 at Southampton and Australia in 2023 at The Oval. The ongoing 2025 final between Australia and South Africa is being held at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground. While the finals have brought strong viewership and ticket sales, the BCCI have repeatedly called for the final to be rotated among different cricket-playing nations.
According to a report by The Telegraph UK, the ICC has already informed the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) of its intention to continue hosting the WTC finals in England for the next three cycles. This decision reportedly comes despite serious interest from India and discussions around potentially rotating the venue across cricketing nations.
"English cricket is close to agreeing to host the next three World Test Championship finals despite an attempt from India to stage the showpiece event. The World Test Championship (WTC) began in 2019 and has run three two-year cycles, all of which concluded with a final in England in June. It is expected that the decision will be rubber-stamped at the ICC's Annual Conference in Singapore next month, but the ECB are expected to begin planning the 2027 edition of the WTC final promptly after the current one, between Australia and South Africa, ends," the report said.
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Rohit-Cummins' voice opinions for the rotation of WTC Final venues
Rohit had voiced his concerns after India’s defeat in the 2023 WTC final, questioning why the final must always be played in June in England, especially right after the Indian Premier League (IPL). Australia’s Pat Cummins was also in favour of the rotating venues decision ahead of the 2025 final. He requested that the WTC final could be hosted by the defending champions or rotated globally.
However, considering the strong commercial incentives and logistical convenience, ICC has decided to keep the WTC finals in England. Planning for the 2027 edition is expected to begin soon after the conclusion of the ongoing final. Interestingly, while England has hosted all three WTC finals so far, the national team has never qualified for any of them.
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