Know why Mohali did not get to host a single Cricket World Cup 2023 match; BCCI Vice President explains

When the schedule for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 was announced, Indian fans were upset that the PCA Stadium in Mohali was not given the chance to host any of the games. Punjab Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hair termed the move of not giving any matches to Mohali as ‘politically motivated’. Strongly condemning the exclusion of Mohali from the list of host cities in the schedule released for the ODI Cricket #WorldCup2023 to be held in India in the month of October-November this year, Sports Minister said.
@Meet_Hayer has called this decision motivated by political reasons. He said that the state government led by CM @BhagwantMann will take up the issue of this discrimination & blatant injustice with @BCCI,” read a tweet from the Punjab government.

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Mohali’s exclusion from the roster has come as a shocker to many. It is one of the major test centers of BCCI. Mohali also hosted the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup between India and Pakistan.

It is said to be motivated by political reasons. He said that the state government headed by C.M. @bhagwantman Will raise the issue of this discrimination and open injustice happening with @BCCI, (2/2)

– Government of Punjab (@PunjabGovtIndia) 27 June 2023

BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla has explained why Mohali missed out on hosting a single World Cup match this year. He said that the stadium is not up to the standards of the ICC and hence it has been dropped as one of the venue options for the mega event. Shukla also told that Mohali has been given many big matches in the past, including Virat Kohli’s 100th Test.

“Virat Kohli gave the 100th Test to Mohali last year. Mullanpur Stadium in Mohali is getting ready. If it was ready, they would have got a World Cup match. The existing stadium in Mohali is not up to ICC standards and hence the match was refused But that doesn’t mean they won’t be given matches,” Shukla told ANI.

Shukla said venues for domestic matches are allotted by the BCCI on the basis of a rotational system and there is no ‘pick and choose’. He also said that in future also Mohali will continue to get bilateral matches.

“ICC’s consent is crucial in finalizing the venues. Warm-up matches have been given for the first time in Trivandrum. Not that any centre/region has been overlooked. Stadiums were chosen after much deliberation Even North East Zone, Guwahati got matches. A lot of adjustments have been made in the schedule,” he said.

The BCCI vice-president said a lot of thought went into finalizing the venues for the World Cup. Venues have been chosen from all parts of the country and for the first time ever a World Cup will have 12 stadiums hosting matches.

“For the first time, 12 venues have been chosen for the World Cup. Earlier, not so many venues were chosen in the last World Cup. Out of these 12 venues, practice matches will be held in Trivandrum and Guwahati, rest of the venues will be . League matches. More centers have been accommodated. Four venues from South Zone, one from Central Zone, two from West Zone and two from North Zone,” he added.