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Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, has been left out as a venue for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The decision was made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ensure a balanced distribution of matches across the country, leading to the selection of other venues in the southern region, such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai.
The tournament, set to feature ten teams, will be held across 10 venues from October 5 to November 19, with the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad hosting the opening match and the final. With a total of 48 matches scheduled over 46 days, the event will showcase the pinnacle of international cricket.
Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor raises concern
Expressing disappointment, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor voiced his opinion, suggesting that Thiruvananthapuram, along with Mohali and Ranchi, should have been given the opportunity to host World Cup matches. Tharoor criticized the decision, considering it a significant overs right on the part of the BCCI.
“It’s a long tournament. They could have spread the joy a little better. Thiruvananthapuram, Mohali, and Ranchi should have been given an opportunity to hold a World Cup match. It is not necessary for any one venue to get 4-5 matches. This is a big mistake on the part of BCCI,” Tharoor remarked.
Responding to Tharoor’s comments, a BCCI source suggested that if Tharoor is keen on having matches in Kerala, efforts should be made to transfer the stadium’s control to the state association, as it is currently managed by IL&FS. The source questioned why the BCCI should take on the additional burden of acquiring extra permissions.
Why did Thiruvananthapuram miss out on hosting World Cup matches?
“If Tharoor is so keen to get a match in Kerala, can he first get the stadium under the control of the state association? Why is it under the control of IL&FS, and why should the BCCI take the headache of getting extra permissions?” retorted the BCCI source. The source further explained that while other countries have fewer venues, the ICC granted India a greater number due to its size. The BCCI acknowledged that it is impossible to please everyone with the selection process.
Adding to the conversation, a source from the BCCI stated that there were already an ample number of venues in the south, including Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Hence, the organizers aimed to introduce some diversity in the venues, which led to the exclusion of Thiruvananthapuram to avoid the overconcentration of matches in the southern region of the country.
The opening match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, featuring defending champions England and runners-up New Zealand, is scheduled to take place on October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly anticipate this prestigious event that will captivate fans and showcase the best of the sport on the grandest stage.
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