Would be a huge blow if India pulls out: Champions Trophy Director

Over the last few days, the only international team that has been making the headlines is the Indian team. It is not because of a superlative performance or a dismal outing. It is rather because of the dark cloud that is hovering over India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been at the loggerheads with the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the recent times.

The bone of contention has been the revenue model of the ICC. The BCCI wanted the old revenue model to continue in the way where the ‘big three’ boards of India, Australia, and England had the majority of shares in the revenues. However, at the recent ICC meet, the boards of the majority of countries opted for the new revenue model that would see an equitable distribution of revenues among the members.

After having seen the decision going against the favor of the BCCI, the team is now threatening to pull out of the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to commence on June 1. There might be severe repercussions if the Indian team pulls out of the ICC mega event.

Recently, the top BCCI officials had quoted that the decision regarding the same would be taken at the BCCI SGM scheduled on May 7. While the clouds continue to over India’s participation, the tournament director of the ICC Champions Trophy, Steve Elworthy, has recently quoted that if India pulls out, it would be a huge blow for the tournament. The kind of fan following the Indian team has in the UK, will definitely impact the tournament.

“The blow, if you think of the number of games we have sold out across the tournament, would be huge. India have an incredibly strong support base in this country. Never mind the operational issues, which would be immense. But at the moment we are just cracking on and planning everything as if they are coming,” Steve Elworthy quoted as per the quotes in theguardian.co.uk.