BCCI Unveils Reasons Behind Mohali’s Exclusion from Cricket World Cup 2023 Match Lineup

According to BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali did not receive a single match in the 2023 ODI World Cup since it did not meet the ICC standards for the mega-event.

Mohali hosted the 2011 World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan, which the hosts won by 29 runs before going on to win the World Cup by defeating Sri Lanka in the final. It also hosted the 1996 World Cup semi-final between Australia and the West Indies.

Shukla’s statement came after Punjab Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer objected to Mohali’s withdrawal from the World Cup schedule.

“The exclusion of Punjab’s Mohali from the list of tournament host cities was due to political interference.” “The Punjab government will raise this issue with the BCCI,” Hayer stated. Shukla noted that this is the first time that 12 locations have been selected for the World Cup.

Reasons Behind Mohali’s Exclusion from Cricket World Cup 2023 Match Lineup

“For the first time, 12 World Cup venues have been chosen.” Previously, these numerous venues had not been picked for past World Cups. Warm-up matches will be staged in Trivandrum and Guwahati, while league matches will be held at the remaining sites.

More centers have been added. South Zone four venues, Central Zone one venue, West Zone two venues, and North Zone two venues. “The matches (in the North Zone) will be held in Delhi and Dharamshala,” Shukla told ANI.

Shukla stated that Mohali will receive bilateral series matches without discrimination. “Virat Kohli’s 100th Test was granted to Mohali last year. Mohali’s Mullanpur Stadium is being built. They would have gotten a World Cup match if it had been ready. The present stadium in Mohali does not fulfill ICC standards and hence was unable to host matches.

“However, that doesn’t mean they won’t get matches.” They will be assigned bilateral series matches on a rotational basis. There was no ‘picking and selecting’. The ICC’s approval is critical in finalizing the locations. Warm-up matches were held for the first time in Trivandrum.

“No center or zone has been overlooked.” Stadiums were chosen after careful study; even in the North East Zone, Guwahati received matches. “A lot of flexibility has been built into the schedule,” he continued.

Shukla stated that new venues have been added to the World Cup program this time around. “Lucknow has been included.” Uttar Pradesh has never given the opportunity to host a World Cup match. Guwahati has been given the opportunity. Many southern locations have been added.

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