MUMBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will decide whether it will field it's men's and women's teams at the upcoming Asian Games, where the sport will be played in the T20 format, at its Apex Council meeting on July 7.
The matter is listed on the agenda of the meeting -the venue and time of the meeting is not yet known yet-as Item No. 4. If India decides to participate in the Asiad, the men's team will be a second-string squad because the main side will be busy with the 50-over World Cup in India around that time. However, the women's team will be at full strength.
The Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou in China from September 23 to October 8, while the ICC World Cup will take place from October 5 to November 19. India did not field a team when cricket was part of the Asian Games in 2010 and 2014. After being out of the 2018 Asiad in Jakarta, cricket has returned to the programme for the Hangzhou Games, which were supposed to be held last year but were postponed due to covid. This time, though, it's highly likely that India will send teams for the Asian Games since the BCCI is also pushing for cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Indian women's team participated in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022.
Also on the agenda (TOI has a copy) of the meeting is 1) Policy for retired players for participation in overseas T20 leagues, 2) Playing conditions in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Tournament with impact player rule, 3) Update on Sponsorship, BYJU'S and Media Rights for BCCI, 4) Discussion on Tour Package Operator for ICC World Cup' 23, 5) Discussion on stadium upgradation/renovation for the World Cup, 6) Approval of Player contracts for the Indian men's and women's teams.
