ICC wants to change the format of Champions Trophy
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reeling under financial pressure due to their proposed revenue-distribution scheme for the members. Desperate to make-up for these losses, the ICC is mulling a change in format of 2021 Champions Trophy. The ICC Champions Trophy could become a T20 tournament instead of an ODI competition. However, the ICC will have to convince BCCI, which has rejected this proposal.
ICC and BCCI are at loggerheads yet again
The ICC and a few member boards are keen on implementing this change but the BCCI is not happy with it. Since T20 is the most popular format of the game right now, the ICC wants the 50-over tournament to be converted into a T20 one, to generate more revenues. India will host the top tournament in 2021.
Champions Trophy will honor former president Jagmohan Dalmiya
The BCCI is planning to host the final of the 2021 Champions Trophy in Kolkata in honor of the late Jagmohan Dalmiya. With this, the BCCI wants to project Dalmiya as a global leader, who changed the face of cricket.
ICC was also considering moving Champions Trophy out of India
Earlier the ICC had proposed to shift the Champions Trophy outside India because the Indian government doesn't offer any tax exemptions. ICC, in its board meeting in February, stated "concerns were expressed around the absence of tax exemption from the Indian government." ICC even directed its management to "explore alternative host countries in a similar time zone" for the 2021 Champions Trophy.
BCCI will oppose this change
"Format cannot and will not change. Champions Trophy was introduced as part of the vision of our former-president Jagmohan Dalmiya and it'll be his fifth anniversary when the tournament is hosted by India. Should ICC persist, there'll be a strong opposition," a BCCI official said.
