ICC may shift two major cricket showpieces from India to Australia
India could be staring at a huge upset as the International Cricket Council (ICC) mulls relocating both the 2029 Champions Trophy and the 2031 ODI World Cup to Australia, potentially stripping India of coveted hosting rights.
The potential switch stems mainly from deepening political tensions with neighbouring Pakistan and Bangladesh, which have raised complications around travel and team participation in cricket’s flagship events.
Since India declined to tour Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy and Bangladesh reportedly balked at playing matches on Indian soil during the 2026 T20 World Cup cycle, the ICC is weighing Australia as a neutral host with proven organisational pedigree and favourable broadcast timings for global audiences.
For the BCCI, this would be a double blow: a loss of billions in revenue and global prestige that comes with staging world cricket spectacles. India has long been the sport’s epicentre, but politics may force a temporary shift away from the subcontinent.
The final decision will be taken at upcoming ICC board meetings, where powerful stakeholders will debate whether neutral venues offer the stability global cricket now demands.