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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to hold an emergent Apex Council meeting in Kolkata on March 22, ahead of the IPL 2025 opener between the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens. The meeting will cover several important topics, including the organization of the Women's ODI World Cup, the venues for upcoming ICC events, and key sponsorship decisions.
Women's ODI World Cup 2025 Organization and Venues
One of the main agenda items for the meeting will be the formation of the Organizing Committee (LOC) for the Women's ODI World Cup 2025, alongside discussions about the venues for the tournament. The BCCI has previously hosted the Women’s World Cup in 2013, and this year’s edition, scheduled for October, will be significant as it marks the return of the prestigious tournament to India. However, the exact schedule for the event is still being finalized.
India's women’s team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will be looking to make history on home soil, aiming to end the long wait for an ICC trophy after making it to the final twice but falling short each time.
Domestic Season 2025-26 Planning
The Apex Council will also finalize the structure for the 2025-26 domestic cricket season, which will include India hosting both West Indies and South Africa for Test series. The meeting will likely involve discussions on determining the venues for these series, with several options likely being considered to ensure a successful home season.
Approval of Changes in Bank Account Signatories
With the appointment of new office-bearers at the BCCI, there will also be a discussion on changing the signatories for the BCCI's bank accounts. This is a routine procedural update following the election of new members to ensure smooth financial operations within the board.
Tobacco and Crypto Sponsorship Ban
In a significant development, the Indian government’s health ministry has instructed the BCCI to ban tobacco sponsorships for the IPL and other BCCI events. This includes not only direct tobacco advertisements but also any surrogate advertisements related to tobacco or alcohol. The Apex Council will review this directive and discuss sponsorships from tobacco and cryptocurrency brands during the meeting. These discussions are part of the BCCI's efforts to align with government regulations and promote healthier sponsorship deals in cricket.
Looking Ahead
With major discussions around women’s cricket, domestic schedules, and sponsorship policies, the March 22 meeting will be pivotal in shaping the future of Indian cricket for the year ahead. As the IPL season begins, all eyes will also be on how the BCCI addresses these crucial issues, ensuring that the Indian cricket landscape remains in line with both regulatory standards and the expectations of fans and players alike.
