This summer, India is getting ready to formally propose hosting the 2027 World Test Championship (WTC) final to the International Cricket Council (ICC). If India were to host, it would be the first time the WTC final was hosted outside of England.
The inaugural cycle final in 2021 took place at Southampton’s Rose Bowl, while the 2023 final took place at The Oval. The final between Australia and South Africa is scheduled to take place at Lord’s this year, and it will start on June 11.
Both of the previous World Test Championship finals were held in England.
India’s ambition will face a number of political and logistical obstacles. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) would have to modify its domestic schedule to make room for an extra home Test if India were to host the final, which would interfere with England’s summer Test schedule.
If India doesn’t make it to the final, the ICC is worried about possible low ticket sales, and England poses less of a risk. Tickets for the WTC 2025 final had been sold out for four days already, and despite England not playing in the match, the 2023 final was completely sold out.
The geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan are the bigger worry. The last-minute location change might have a significant effect on planning and logistics if India hosted the tournament and Pakistan advanced to the final. The latest airstrikes in the Kashmir region have increased tensions between the two nations.
Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian squad, stated that he was adamantly against any kind of cricket relationship between India and Pakistan.
“In my opinion, the answer to this is no. There should be no communication between India and Pakistan until all of this is resolved. According to The Guardian, Gambhir stated, “The lives of Indian soldiers and Indian citizens are more important than any cricket match, Bollywood production, or other interaction.”
Arun Singh Dhumal represents the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on the ICC committee, and Jay Shah is the current chairman of the ICC. It might be seen as inevitable if the bid goes through.
The next WTC series, which will begin on June 20 and feature England hosting India in a five-Test series, will follow the upcoming final, which will wrap off the 2023–25 WTC cycle.
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