ICC writes to the BCCI for not following media protocols in World Cup 2019

India is currently taking part in the 2019 edition of the World Cup in England and Wales. The Men in Blue are done with playing warm-up matches against New Zealand and Bangladesh and are now preparing themselves for their opening game against South Africa on June 5 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has found themselves in a bit of a tangle.

It has been learned that the World Cup organizers and the International Cricket Council (ICC) have written to the BCCI and the Indian team management about following tournament protocols. The hosting parties are somewhat unhappy that the Indian cricketers are not being sent to a mixed media zone after an encounter.

It’s a new practice that has recently been introduced by the ICC, the world’s apex cricket board. According to the members’ participation agreement signed by the boards, the players should be sent for the media interaction as per reports in Mumbai Mirror. Moreover, all the 15 members should be sent for the interaction irrespective of the result, though for a brief period of time.

Ravi Shastri also made aware of the issue

Nevertheless, the ICC is okay, even if around three to four players attend the same. After the first warm-up match against the Black Caps at the Kennington Oval in London, while only a few Kiwis’ players turned up, there was no participation from the Indian team. The concern has forced the organizers to take up the matter with the BCCI and the Indian team management.

Chris Titley, the ICC’s head of events, has taken up the matter and the issue has also been brought to the notice of Indian head coach, Ravi Shastri. Later, the team management agreed to spare a few players from Tuesday following the match versus the Tigers at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

The ICC is worried that the other teams would take a cue from the Indians and start skipping the interactions. The media mixed zone is a practice that has been carried on ever since the 2017 Champions Trophy. From thereon, it has been followed at every major international competition.