Latest news with #SanjogGupta
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Two-division Test cricket on agenda after ICC decides to consider WTC expansion
The International Cricket Council has set up a working group to explore moving to a system of two-division Test cricket for the first time in what would be one of the most radical changes in the 133-year history of the global game. In the first annual general meeting under the new all-Indian leadership of the chair, Jay Shah, and the chief executive, Sanjog Gupta, held in Singapore at the weekend, the ICC appointed an eight-strong working party with a remit to report recommendations to the board by the end of the year. Any changes would be introduced for the next cycle of the World Test Championship, due to run from 2027 to 2029, and involve an expansion from the current nine-team format to two divisions of six. Gupta, who joined the ICC this month from Indian broadcaster JioStar, will chair the working party which also features the England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive, Richard Gould, and the Cricket Australia chief executive, Todd Greenberg. The two-division concept first emerged from meetings between CA and the ECB during the women's Ashes last January. CA, in particular, is major advocate and has pushed a model that would involve Australia, England and India playing against each other twice every three years rather than the current set-up of two series in four years. Although this would appeal to broadcasters and be hugely lucrative, the ECB is understood to have reservations about scheduling more Test series between the so-called big three, as it would further entrench their huge financial advantage over other international sides. The presence of Gupta, Gould and Greenberg on the working group suggests there is a strong possibility the two-division model will be adopted, although the devil will be in the detail of their findings. With such a significant change requiring the support of a two-thirds majority of the ICC's 12 full members, the biggest challenge will be to agree on a system of promotion and relegation between the two divisions to prevent the smaller nations being cut adrift. An increased package of financial support for countries starting in division two may also be required. Under the current ICC Test rankings, the world Test champions, South Africa, plus New Zealand and Sri Lanka would join the big three in division one, with Ireland, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh in line to be admitted to the World Test Championship for the first time to join Pakistan, West Indies and Zimbabwe in division two. This development came as the ICC announced in Singapore that England will stage the next three World Test Championship finals. All of the first three showpieces have been held in England, most recently last month with Lord's the venue as South Africa were crowned champions for the first time by defeating the holders Australia. The ICC also discussed creating a new Twenty20 Champions League or World Club Championship that would feature franchises from the Indian Premier League, the Hundred and the Big Bash, but no formal proposal was tabled. Sign up to The Spin Subscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers' thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week's action after newsletter promotion A previous T20 Champions League run by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, CA and Cricket South Africa was launched in 2008 and lasted until 2014, but collapsed after the main broadcaster ESPN Star failed to pay rights fees. The ICC has expressed interest in running its own version, but it would be a complex undertaking, not least as many of the IPL owners have bought franchises in other countries including South Africa's SA20, Major League Cricket in the and ILT20 in the United Arab Emirates. The owners of Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad are also in the process of buying into four Hundred franchises. Some of the world's top T20 players represent as many as four or five franchises each year, so determining whom they would represent would not be straightforward, with 2027 seen as the most likely start date for a new global tournament as that coincides with the end of the ICC's $3bn Indian TV deal with Disney Star.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Champions League T20 set for dramatic 2026 return but ICC could deliver crushing blow to Test cricket's future: Report
Cricket appears to be racing toward a new era of structural upheaval. Even as the men's T20 Champions League edges closer to a blockbuster relaunch as early as September 2026, the ICC is also weighing a decision that could drastically alter the future of the longest format: limiting the number of Test-playing nations. Chennai Super Kings won the 2014 CLT20 title(X/ChennaiIPL) According to The Sydney Morning Herald, several influential cricket boards have voiced support for reviving the Champions League T20 (CLT20) during the ICC's ongoing meeting in Singapore. The now-defunct tournament, which ran from 2009 to 2014, had featured top T20 franchises from around the world in a format modelled on UEFA's Champions League. Though scrapped a decade ago due to financial unviability, most notably after the withdrawal of broadcaster ESPN Star, the rapid commercialisation of T20 leagues globally has created fertile ground for its return. If finalised, the new tournament version will face a different kind of challenge: deciding the player pool. As franchise owners now span multiple leagues and players are contracted across competitions, the ICC will have to iron out complex eligibility rules. The report also noted that logistical and funding decisions remain pending, although momentum for the tournament's revival is clearly building. Test cricket facing limitations In stark contrast to this push for glitz and franchise expansion, Test cricket could soon be subject to a cutback. The same ICC meeting is reportedly exploring a cap on the number of Test-playing nations, which could mark a decisive shift in cricket's priorities. A working group, including ICC's new chief executive Sanjog Gupta and chaired by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, has been tasked with recommending a roadmap by the end of the year. Gupta, speaking at Lord's last year during the MCC's World Cricket Connects panel, hinted at the changes to come. 'You have to make hard choices,' he had said. 'There is enough data to suggest what direction the game is going in. If you continue to serve a product that no one wants... the ecosystem around the product will continue to suffer. Blackberry disappeared at some point... it was replaced by another product.'
News18
2 days ago
- Sport
- News18
ICC To Set Up 'Working Group' To Sort Out LA28 Qualification, Format Restructuring
Last Updated: ICC to form a Working Group to decide LA28 Olympic qualification, review cricket formats, and explore Test restructuring. Minimum age for internationals remains 15. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to form a Working Group to take care of some of the pressing issues globally. This was among the key takeaways of the Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) meeting held in Singapore on Friday. The meeting was chaired by new ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta, and ICC Chair Jay Shah attended in his ex-officio capacity. According to Cricbuzz, the Working Group will look after the structure of various formats of the game and the qualification pathway for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Also, the formation of this group is expected to be fast-tracked and could be finalised as early as Saturday, during the upcoming ICC Board meeting. The Working Group will reportedly include members from both the CEC and the Board, and will be given clear responsibilities — the top priority being to recommend a qualification system for the LA28 Olympics. The gentlemen's game will return in the Olympics with six teams each in the men's and women's categories. However, the qualification process still remains a concern. The global body seems divided on this, as many believe that world rankings should be used to determine the qualifiers, whereas some have suggested organising a qualifying tournament. But holding a tournament seems unlikely due to the tight schedule and a packed Future Tours Programme (FTP). Meanwhile, the proposal for a two-tier Test format — a hot topic in recent times — was not discussed at the CEC meeting. However, it is expected that the Working Group will explore this issue and suggest whether changes are needed in the structure of Test cricket. The same applies to possible adjustments in ODI and T20I formats. Minimum Age To Play International Cricket Another key decision taken at the meeting was to keep the minimum age for playing senior international cricket at 15, based on recommendations from the ICC's Medical Advisory Committee. However, exceptions may be allowed in special circumstances. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
ICC AGM: Two-tier Test System, T20 World Cup Expansion To Be Discussed
With the new WTC cycle in progress, the discussion on the two-tier Test format is set to revolve around fund allocation and clauses surrounding promotion and relegation. The much-debated idea of a two-tier Test system, expansion of the T20 World Cup, and the ratification of new members are some of the topics that will be discussed in depth during the four-day AGM of the International Cricket Council (ICC), beginning here on Thursday. With the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle (2025-27) in progress, the discussion on the two-tier Test format is set to revolve around fund allocation and clauses surrounding promotion and relegation. However, it has been generally accepted that the current WTC cycle will not be altered, and a possible implementation of the new system will be done after 2027. The upcoming AGM, which will be headed by ICC chairman Jay Shah and newly-appointed CEO Sanjog Gupta, will take a serious note of this method since Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board are major advocates of it. While there is no intention to add more teams to the 50-over World Cup, the ICC may consider adding more teams to the T20 version, potentially increasing it to 24 participants. However, any concrete decision is not expected before next year. At present, 20 teams are competing in the showpiece event after the addition of four more sides since last year's World Cup, and this model will be retained until at least the 2026 edition. Cricket's return to the Olympics through the 2028 Los Angeles Games and Italy's qualification for next year's T20 World Cup, to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, have given impetus to expansion thoughts. 'Italy's qualification for the World Cup is being viewed as a sign of cricket gaining some traction with new nations, and the governing body is keen to connect with a wider audience," a source privy to the development informed PTI. Since his elevation to the ICC top position in December 2024, Shah has held a series of high-profile engagements, such as the one with FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the 144th IOC Session at Costa Navarino in Greece in March and with former IOC head Thomas Bach in January. Meanwhile, the ICC is likely to get a final update on the inquiry into the conduct of last year's T20 World Cup. There were charges of a cost blow-out during the tournament. While it was not officially announced, it is believed that the mishandling of funds during the marquee event held in the USA and the West Indies had a role in the resignation of former CEO Geoff Allardice in late January. Meanwhile, Zambia is set to return to the ICC fold as an Associate member after its suspension in 2019, and East Timor is also likely to become a first-time member. Zambia was suspended due to 'continued non-compliance" to amend multiple breaches of the ICC's Membership Criteria, relating to general competence and an acceptable detailed governance system. (With PTI Inputs) view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 15:55 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
ICC Annual Conference: Gurumurthy Palani, Anuraag Bhatnagar, Gurdeep Klair win coveted CEC spots
Logo of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The International Cricket Council's Annual Conference in Singapore kicked off Thursday with a significant election that saw Gurumurthy Palani (France), Anuraag Bhatnagar (Hong Kong), and Gurdeep Klair (Canada) winning key positions on the Chief Executives' Committee (CEC). The trio emerged victorious from an eight-candidate field, marking a major shift in cricket's global leadership. Palani and Bhatnagar led the pack with 28 votes, while Klair secured 21 votes. The election results brought a notable change as veteran administrator Sumod Damodar, who previously served three terms, failed to retain his position after receiving only 16 votes. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The election drew significant attention as three Associate Member seats were available on the influential CEC. This committee plays a crucial role in developing cricket worldwide and managing the sport at the international level. For Associate cricket chiefs, a spot on the CEC is highly valued and often serves as a pathway to the more powerful ICC board. The election featured a diverse group of candidates, including former Hong Kong chief Tim Cutler representing Vanuatu, ex-USA cricket administrator Sankar Renganathan from Sierra Leone, Stella Siale from Samoa, and Sarah Gomersall from Jersey. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Two previous committee members, Rashpal Bajwa from Canada and Denmark's Umair Butt, chose not to participate in this election. The outgoing member, Damodar, was known for his bold initiatives, including attempts to revive the Afro-Asia Cup and his advocacy for more major events for Associate nations. Another notable candidate was Renganathan, who gained attention for his vocal criticism of USA Cricket's current challenges. Bombay Sport Exchange Episode 1: Interview with Sanjog Gupta, CEO (Sports) at JioStar The voting process involved 40 Associate Members and five regional representatives from the Americas, Asia, Europe, East Asia-Pacific, and Africa. According to ICC rules, candidates needed to be either an Associate Member representative or have experience as an ICC director. The newly elected members will serve two-year terms and will also participate in the Associate Member Committee, which oversees governance at the Associate level. This election marks the beginning of a new era for the ICC, now led by Chairman Jay Shah and new CEO Sanjog Gupta, with several important issues set to be discussed during the conference. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
