Cricket will return to the Hangzhou Asian Games in China next September. But no one is sure whether India will send a team to Asiad cricket. Cricket has been played in two previous editions of the Asian Games but India has never sent a team.
Cricket was first included in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. Cricket was also at the 2014 Incheon Asiad in South Korea. Apart from India, the other four Test playing nations in Asia sent teams to these two editions. Bangladesh won the gold by defeating Afghanistan in Guangzhou. Sri Lanka wins gold in Incheon.
But India, the most financially powerful country in Asian cricket, has repeatedly questioned its non-participation. Every time, India has distanced itself from Asian Games cricket with one excuse or another. India has never played cricket in the SA Games, a regional sports competition.
Why doesn’t India send team to Asian Games?
Why doesn’t India send team to Asian Games?File picture
The Indian cricket board is currently in a dilemma as to whether to send a team to the Asian Games in September, according to ESPN Cricinfo. There are two reasons for this dilemma. One is the boys ‘T20 World Cup in October, the other is the girls’ team’s tour of England.
Regarding the pending decision to send Indian boys and girls teams to the Asian Games, BCCI Secretary Joy Shah said, “The BCCI will decide later whether India will send a cricket team to the Hangzhou Asian Games. But the decision will be based on what we are busy at that time.
The BCCI never wants to go under the Indian Olympic Committee
The BCCI never wants to go under the Indian Olympic CommitteePhoto: AFP
During, before and after the Asian Games, both the Indian men’s and women’s teams have some pre-determined series. The Indian women’s team will tour England during the Asian Games. They are scheduled to play three T20 and ODI matches there. The men’s team will take part in Australia’s T20 World Cup in mid-October. Joy Shah is also giving priority to those promises, ‘BCCI has always stood by other cricket boards, extending a helping hand to their various problems. The BCCI is therefore committed to implementing bilateral commitments. We are also committed to the cricket fans in the country.
Though Joy Shah spoke of bilateral promises, the reason for India’s non-participation in Asian Games cricket is completely different. The Indian Olympic Association has historically had disagreements with the Indian Cricket Board. The Indian Cricket Board never wants to work under the Indian Olympic Association. Each country participates in various sports competitions organized by the International Olympic Committee and the Asian Olympic Committee through their Olympic Association. To participate in the Asian Games, the BCCI must come under the auspices of the Indian Olympic Association. This is the objection of the Indian board.