India are preparing a bid to host the 2027 World Test Championship (WTC) final, according to a report in The Guardian. The report also states that India is likely to make a formal proposal to the International Cricket Council (ICC) this summer.
England have hosted the two previous WTC finals – the first at Rose Bowl, Southampton in 2021, before the Oval hosted the summit clash in 2023. This year’s summit showdown between Australia and South Africa will take place at Lord’s next month.
According to The Guardian, India first expressed their intention to bid for the 2027 WTC final at a meeting of the ICC’s chief executives committee in Zimbabwe last month. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is represented on the ICC committee by Arun Singh Dhumal, the chief executive. His predecessor, Jay Shah, is the ICC chairman, so a formal Indian bid is widely regarded as a done deal.
ECB pushing for quick decision
Despite staging the first three editions of the WTC final, the England and Wales Cricket Board are not the permanent host of the marquee red-ball fixture. But the English summer and a strong stadium presence of the fans, irrespective of which teams are playing, make it a preferred venue.
The ECB is said to be pushing for a quick decision, as it will need time to schedule an additional home Test for England in 2027 if the final is staged elsewhere.
The ICC has reservations about scheduling the WTC final in India due to the prospect of poor ticket sales should India fail to reach the summit clash. The final at Lord’s in June is sold out for the first four days, while the 2023 final at the Oval was also sold out despite England not featuring in the playing XI.
India have qualified for the finals of the first two editions of the WTC but failed to cross the final hurdle on both occasions.
The 2023-25 final of the World Test Championship will be played between South Africa and Australia at the Lord’s in London next month. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
