Amid terror threats to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 by the Pakistan-based terror group, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla revealed the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s stance on the participation of India in the tournament.
The T20 World Cup 2024 will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States of America. The competition will begin on June 1 and end on June 29. A total of 20 teams will participate in the tournament and matches will be played at nine venues. Six venues in the West Indies will host the matches, while three World Cup venues have been finalized in the United States.
On Sunday, May 5, shocking news emerged that Caribbean islands had received terrorist threats from northern Pakistan ahead of the World Cup. These threats forced Cricket West Indies and the International Cricket Council to come forward and speak openly about the matter.
In a joint statement, ICC and CWI stated that they have a “comprehensive and robust security plan” for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley also revealed that security agencies were monitoring the situation.
The threats have raised concerns among participating teams and on Monday, May 6, a BCCI official gave his verdict on the Indian national cricket team’s participation in the premier tournament.
We will go as per the decision taken by the central government – Rajeev Shukla
Speaking to ANI, Rajeev Shukla said that they will ensure that they provide the best security to their players, but the final decision on the Indian team’s participation in the World Cup will be taken by the central government.
“As far as threats are concerned, the responsibility for security lies with the security agencies of the country hosting the match. All precautions will be taken. We will take all necessary measures for the safety of players and spectators. We will speak with the organizations responsible for holding the World Cup. We will go according to the decision taken by the central government. “We are in contact with the governments of Wisconsin and the United States,” he said.
Meanwhile, the 15-man squad of the Indian national cricket team for the World Cup has already been announced. The Rohit Sharma-led team has four spinners including Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel. The BCCI selection committee has decided to add only three pacers (Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj) to the squad keeping in mind the spin-friendly conditions in the West Indies and the United States.
In the batting department all the expected names appear except Rinku Singh who has been one of India’s best players since his T20I debut. Recently, Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma held a press conference and were asked about Rinku Singh’s exclusion. Agarkar said leaving out Rinku was the “toughest decision” but they had to take it because of the combination they wanted.