ICC Cricket World Cup 2021 - Venues !!

As per the Future Tours Programme ( FTP ), before Corona lockdown, it was expected that an ICC event in this year  at Australia and an another ICC event in the year 2021, with India as hosts was planned. But, as COVID has other plans, both the T20I World Cups have been postponed to 2021 and 2022 with the earlier as per planned was scheduled to take place in India with the teams qualified during the qualification process of 2020, whereas the qualification process of later has been announced recently. Now, the venues for 2021 ICC T20 World Cup has been shortlisted.

Few reports have been released, in which all had stated that eight venues has been shortlisted for hosting this grand mega event. Previously, India was announced as hosts in the 2016 T20 World Cup, where India has been knocked out at the semi final stage, with the Caribbeans winning their second ICC T20 WC Trophy. It was a trimmed version with only 10 teams participating, but now the teams have been increased to 16, with 85 teams fighting for the 16 spots. 

This time, Chennai is expected to host few matches, as during the previous occasion, due to issue of I, J and K stands, it was terminated and only during Women's T20 World Cup, at the same year, some matches were allotted to host. But, now, it is expected to host, as they have opened the sealed I, J and K stands, just few days before the lock down period was announced. 

Along with Chennai, the newly refurbished Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad has been added, as this is the biggest cricket stadium in the world. Motera has previously hosted 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup tournament, which was won by India, at their own backyard. Then, it is followed by Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Mohali, Dharamshala, and Kolkata.

During previous occasion, only seven stadiums were allotted with Chennai and Ahmedabad missing out. But now, Nagpur misses out and these two stadiums knocking the door and came in. But, on a fuller note, the news isn't confirmed as there is an Annual General Meeting among BCCI members, which is held today.

“It’s a matter of pride for every centre to host World Cup matches. We have high-class stadiums and top facilities and we want the BCCI to consider our case as well. We are OK with the bigger centres hosting India matches. But at least give us some games. We will raise the issue at the AGM,” President of West Zone State Association said