Media rights deal for home bilaterals will be done by August-end: Jay Shah

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to sign a new media rights deal for bilateral series at home within the next four years. Board secretary Jay Shah confirmed that the deal will be finalized by the end of August, starting with a series against Australia consisting of eight matches. Shah also announced that India’s short ODI series against Afghanistan, originally scheduled for June, will now take place in January.

In addition, Shah revealed that the BCCI will be naming the head coach for the Indian women’s team before the Asian Games in September. The Cricket Advisory Committee has recommended a candidate for the post, but the Board will conduct interviews for the positions of batting, bowling, and fielding coaches before making the announcement. Currently, Nooshin Al Khadeer serves as the interim coach for the Indian women’s team.

The BCCI’s Apex Council has given the office-bearers the authority to establish a policy regarding the participation of retired players in overseas T20 leagues. Concerns have been raised about Indian players retiring early to play in lucrative leagues abroad, potentially impacting the quality of Indian cricket. The Board will take several factors into consideration before making any alterations to the policy.

In a historic move, India will be sending teams to participate in the cricket competition of the Asian Games for the first time. This decision comes as a result of the Indian government’s directive to the BCCI. The BCCI will send both men’s and women’s teams to the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in September-October. The competition will run from September 19 to October 8, with the men’s event taking place from September 28 to October 8 and the women’s event from September 19-28. It is hoped that both teams will secure a gold medal in their respective categories.

Lastly, concerns have been raised about the Impact Player rule in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with some teams feeling that it gives an unfair advantage to certain players. The issue was discussed during the Apex Council meeting, and it was decided that further deliberation is required before any decision can be made.

During the Apex Council meeting, concerns were raised about the usage of the Impact Player rule in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. Members expressed apprehension as the rule is not implemented at the international level. After careful consideration, it was decided to incorporate the IPL-version of the Impact Player Rule in the SMAT on a trial basis. The tournament is scheduled to commence on October 16.

In an effort to ensure the fitness of players in the Indian men’s and women’s teams, the BCCI has made it mandatory for all players to meet specific fitness standards. Recently, a couple of players in the Indian women’s team were excluded from the Bangladesh tour due to their failure to meet the fitness criteria. The Board aims to enforce strict measures in this regard.

In a bid to strengthen the bowling department and enhance India’s chances in Test matches, the BCCI plans to launch a nationwide talent hunt for bowlers between the ages of 18 and 23. This initiative will be overseen by coaches from the Board’s National Cricket Academy. The objective is to build a strong pool of talented bowlers to support the Test team.