DUBAI (Kashmir English): India’s bid to host World Test Championship (WTC) finals seems to have failed as the International Cricket Council (ICC) intends to retain England as the host nation for the next three World Test Championship (WTC) finals.
The next three editions of the Championship are scheduled to be held in 2027, 2029, and 2031.
According to a report by The Telegraph UK, the ICC took the decision despite interest shown by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to bring the event to India.
Since its inception in 2019, the WTC has concluded after two-year cycle with a final in England, including Southampton in 2021, The Oval in 2023, and the 2025 final at Lord’s.
According to the reports, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has already been informed of the ICC’s intention while a formal confirmation is likely at the ICC Annual Conference in Singapore next month.
“English cricket is close to agreeing to host the next three World Test Championship finals despite an attempt from India to stage the showpiece event,” said the report.
Preparations for the 2027 final is expected to begin shortly following the conclusion of the 2025 final, the report said further.
South Africa win WTC title
South Africa’s Aiden Markram’s magnificent century guided the Proteas to a five-wicket win over Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s on June 14 (Saturday).
The victory also ended the Proteas’ decades-long wait for a major global cricket title.
The victory marked their first since 1998 when they won the inaugural edition of the men’s Champions Trophy, called the Knockout Trophy at that time.
In 18 previous attempts in the ODI and T20 World Cups, South Africa had only reached one solitary final.
That was 2024’s T20 World Cup in Barbados, when they lost to India despite needing just 30 runs from their last 30 balls, with six wickets in hand.
