BCCI Apex Council to Decide Women's ODI WC Venues and Domestic Structure in Meeting on March 22

Synopsis
The BCCI's Apex Council meeting on March 22 in Kolkata will finalize venues for the 2025 ICC Women's ODI World Cup and discuss the domestic cricket structure for the 2025-26 season. Key items include logistical arrangements and sponsorship policies, marking a critical point for the future of Indian cricket.
Key Takeaways
- Apex Council meeting on March 22 in Kolkata.
- Finalization of venues for 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup.
- Discussion on domestic cricket structure for 2025-26 season.
- Addressing sponsorship deals related to health regulations.
- Logistical arrangements for upcoming Test series against West Indies and South Africa.
New Delhi, March 18 (NationPress) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has convened an Apex Council meeting on Saturday, March 22 in Kolkata to deliberate on significant decisions. This upcoming meeting will take place just before the IPL 2025 opener featuring the reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens, focusing on several critical matters including the selection of venues for the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup.
A primary agenda item will be the finalization of venues for the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, which is set to occur in India. This event marks the first time India has hosted this prestigious women’s tournament since 2013, with the tournament's precise schedule for October still pending.
Additionally, the meeting will cover the structure of domestic cricket for the 2025-26 season and the scheduling of India's forthcoming home Test series against West Indies and South Africa.
The BCCI is anticipated to select venues that provide top-notch facilities and promote extensive fan engagement across various regions. Cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Ahmedabad are likely contenders to host pivotal matches, including the final.
The Apex Council will also examine sponsorship arrangements related to tobacco, alcohol, and cryptocurrency brands, as referenced in agenda item No. 9, following recent directives from the health ministry instructing the BCCI to prohibit all forms of tobacco and alcohol promotions, including surrogate advertising.
Logistical matters will also be on the agenda, covering pitch conditions, travel arrangements, and practice facilities for international teams.
Another significant topic will be the framework for India's domestic cricket calendar for the 2025-26 season. The BCCI is likely to discuss potential modifications to tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Considering recent discussions regarding player workload management and the necessity for a streamlined domestic structure, the decisions made by the Apex Council will be crucial in shaping the future of Indian cricket at the grassroots level.
The meeting will also contemplate the selection of venues for India’s upcoming home Test series against West Indies and South Africa. These series are part of the new ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, signifying their importance for India’s campaign.