Team India unlikely to get in action at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou

After a gap of around 12 years, cricket is expected to make a return at the Asian Games in Hangzhou later this year. However, India owing to its existing commitments is unlikely to participate in the tournament.  One of the other reasons for Men in Blue to pull out from the Asian games is the threat of injury to the players ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia in October.

Similarly, participation of the women’s team, who will compete in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July-August, now also looks unlikely. As per reports, the Games will clash with the women’s team’s limited-overs tour of England where they are scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20Is.

The final decision will be taken based on our existing commitments: Jay Shah

“As far as the Asian Games in Hangzhou is concerned, a final decision on whether to send both men’s and women’s teams will be taken later and based on our existing commitments,” Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah said as quoted by India Today.

Shah also emphasized on the fact that hosting India is a lucrative proposition for any board. However, the secretary also said that honouring bilateral commitment was particularly important in a post-coronavirus world.

“The BCCI has always stood by member boards and helped them in these difficult times. The board firmly believes in honouring its bilateral commitments. We are committed to our fans here in India and it is absolutely important that we safeguard our home season. The FTP that has been created needs to be adhered to,” Shah added referring to the game’s Future Tours Programme calendar.

The reluctance of the BCCI, the world’s richest cricket board, was seen as a major impediment to the game’s Olympic inclusion. “The BCCI and ICC are on the same page on this and agree that the inclusion of cricket in the Olympics is good for the growth of the game,” he added.