BCCI’s Plan Rejected! ICC Chooses England for WTC Finals
England to host WTC Finals in 2027, 2029, and 2031 as ICC snubs BCCI’s bid; decision made at annual meet in Singapore.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced that England will host the next three World Test Championship (WTC) Finals, in 2027, 2029, and 2031.
This decision, taken during the ICC Annual Conference in Singapore, comes as a major setback for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which had expressed interest in hosting the grand finale in future editions.
ICC Backs England Again
England had previously hosted both the 2021 and 2023 WTC Finals, at The Rose Bowl in Southampton and The Oval in London. According to ICC officials, the success of those events played a key role in awarding England the rights once again.
The apex body highlighted the country’s cricket infrastructure, crowd support, and strong Test cricket culture as key reasons behind their choice.
“The ECB was the obvious pick,” an ICC member said after the meeting. “Their venues are proven, the fans turn up, and Test cricket still thrives there.”
BCCI’s Bid Falls Flat
The BCCI had shown strong interest in bringing the WTC Final to India. Officials felt that rotating the host country would make the championship more global and inclusive. However, the ICC did not entertain the proposal.
This snub hasn’t gone down well with the Indian board, especially given India’s participation in both previous finals. BCCI insiders believe that India’s fanbase and Test cricket following also deserved recognition in the form of hosting rights.
Other Key Decisions
Apart from finalizing the WTC venues, the ICC also confirmed support for displaced Afghan women cricketers and announced that it will continue its monitoring of USA Cricket, which is currently under scrutiny for governance issues.
England’s Stronghold Continues
With this announcement, England will now remain the permanent home of the WTC Final at least until 2031. For Indian fans and the BCCI, this is a bitter pill to swallow, but for the ICC, it’s a move based on trust, tradition, and tested capability.
