The BCCI is experiencing issues with the ICC World Cup in 2023. The Indian board is engaged in combat on two fronts at once. The Indian Cricket Board is at odds with the Indian government over tax matters while the Pakistan Cricket Board is criticizing the BCCI at the ICC. The ICC has given BCCI the go-ahead to address the problem. If they are unable to, the ICC may decide to shift the WC from India.
ICC Policy For Hosting World Cups
According to ICC policy, the host country is required to get tax breaks from the respective governments. However, the BCCI hasn’t taken any action to persuade the government in this regard. As a result of the international organization deducting the sum from BCCI’s share of the earnings, the BCCI has instead appealed to the ICC tribunal.
ICC’S Issues With Tax Exemption
In 2016, when India last hosted the T20 World Cup, BCCI was unable to fix the tax problem. ICC ultimately reduced BCCI’s yearly share by Rs 190 crore. The tax bill has now increased by the ICC to 21.84%, or $116 million (Rs 900 Crore). The BCCI board could lose up to Rs 900 Cr. if it cannot persuade the Indian government to grant a tax break for the World Cup 2023.
A source was heard saying, “It’s BCCI’s money. If the ICC can’t settle this issue before the World Cup arrives and end up deducting it from India’s revenue share from the ICC, even this will end up in a legal battle.”
The ICC obtained a tax credit of 10.3% from the Indian tax authorities for the T20 World Cup 2016. Once more, the ICC was successful in getting the Indian government to grant temporary tax rebates. It’s conceivable that the ICC would charge BCCI for it, just like it did the last time. As a result, the BCCI is prepared to fight the ICC in court once more.
Despite giving ICC a temporary concession, the Indian government will be hesitant to offer a full rebate. The sole profitable sport in India is cricket, which explains this. The government wouldn’t want the people to pay for that sport as well.
Pakistan’s Issues With India Hosting World Cup 2023
Earlier Pakistan’s Cricket Chief, Ramiz Raja said. “Our position is blunt that, if they come, then we will go to the World Cup, if they do not come then let them do it. Let them play without Pakistan. If Pakistan does not participate in the World Cup scheduled in India next year, who will see it?”
Due to poor diplomatic relations, PCB is exerting pressure on the ICC. Even though the BCCI has considerable influence over the ICC, both the ICC and the BCCI would be embarrassed if Pakistan actually pulled off a boycott of the 2023 World Cup. ICC will suffer the greatest loss because it will forfeit the lucrative India vs Pakistan match.
