India not at risk of losing 2021 T20 World Cup hosting rights: BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal

There has been a lot of talks surrounding India’s hosting rights for the T20 World Cup in 2021 with the BCCI failing to secure tax exemptions for the showpiece event. Even the ICC has threatened to pull back the tournament from India. A BCCI official has now dismissed all the reports suggesting that India is at risk of losing hosting rights for the T20 World Cup. 

Tax exemptions for ICC events are required as per host agreements and the BCCI was supposed to confirm the same by May 18 but the Indian board has asked for an extension citing lockdown rules behind failure to resolve the matter with the Indian government. 

Earlier, a report in ESPNCricinfo stated that ICC has threatened to shift the tournament away from India over the tax issues. But BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal has now said that there is “no risk” to the tournament and the negotiations are on with the ICC. 

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“There is no risk to the tournament,” he said by telephone. “That is a work in progress. We are discussing it with the ICC and we’ll resolve it.”

The BCCI failed to secure tax exemptions when it hosted the T20 World Cup in 2016 with ICC withholding an equal sum from India’s share of the revenue. But this time, the financial hit may almost be tripled given the growth of the shortest format of the game in the last few years.

“There are certain timelines within the agreements that we collectively work towards to ensure we can deliver successful world class events and continue to invest in the sport of cricket,” an ICC spokesperson told Reuters.

“In addition to this, the ICC Board agreed clear timelines for the resolution of the tax issues which we are guided by.”