Amid the debate over the hosting of the upcoming Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly on Thursday (July 14) said that the board will keep monitoring the situation in the island nation.
Asia Cup 2022, in a T20 format, was announced to be held in Sri Lanka between August 27 and September 11. Sri Lanka was declared host for the marquee event after an AGM was held between the member countries in March.
However, the country is dealing with a major economic crisis and questions are being raised if it could still stage the tournament amid the ongoing mass protest.
"I cannot comment at the moment (about the possibility of India hosting the event). We will keep monitoring (the situation in Sri Lanka). Australia is playing there. The Sri Lankan team is also doing well. I cannot comment at the moment. Let us wait for a month," Ganguly told ANI.
Recently, Sri Lanka successfully hosted the Australian men’s team in all three formats of the game. However, things have changed drastically in the past one week as the Presidential Palace was stormed by protesters and the Prime Minister’s residence was set on fire.
Meanwhile, Ganguly also opened up about the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic during his stint as BCCI chief.
"But we managed to get cricket going and as you know, broadcast rights have gone exceptionally well. Although I never equate money with the sport, but it is always good to have money because infrastructure is built that way. Indian cricket is in a solid position. As and when we will finish, someone else will come in and take it forward. It is the players and administrators who will take the game forward," he stated.
There are high expectations from Team India for the upcoming two ICC events – the T20 World Cup in 2022 and the 50-over World Cup in 2023.
Speaking on the same, Ganguly said: "You do not win ICC tournaments all the time. They (India) were in the finals of the Champions Trophy in 2017 and they lost in the semis in the 2019 WC. It has not been that they have been absolutely poor in World Cups but as you rightly said whenever India plays the expectations are more of winning. They are a great side they have some fantastic players and hopefully when it comes to Australia this time, they will stand up and deliver."
(With ANI inputs)
