BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Friday (July 7) said that the media rights deal for the broadcast of cricket matches involving India for the 2023-2027 cycle will be finalized by August-end.

The contract with Star Sports, which began in 2018, came to an end in March this year and Shah hinted that the new deal will be locked before the proposed 50-over series against Australia at home in September.

"Media rights deal will be done by August end," Shah told reporters in Mumbai.

India will play three ODIs against Australia prior to the World Cup. After the showpiece tournament, the Men in Blue will host the Kangaroos for five T20Is.

On a different note, Shah stated that the white-ball series against Afghanistan has been shifted to January 2024 and will not take place before the 2023 ODI World Cup, slated to be held in India from October 5 to November 19.

Jay Shah also confirmed the participation of Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams in the Asian Games 2023, scheduled to take place in China from September 23 to October 8.

"We are going to participate in the Asian Games. The Apex Council has approved the participation of our men's and women's teams," he said.

The BCCI secretary said that the board will introduce a policy to prevent Indian players from taking retirement from domestic cricket and the IPL.

Recently, the likes of Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina and Robin Uthappa retired from all forms of Indian cricket to feature in foreign leagues.  

"We'll come out with a policy to prevent the trend of pre-determined retirement. The office-bearers will make a policy and send it back for approval," he remarked.

Shah said the coaching staff for Indian senior women's team will be appointed before the Asian Games.

"The CAC has recommended the name of a head coach. They will also interview a batting and bowling coach. We will announce the names of all coaches before the Asian Games," he said.

(With PTI Inputs)