BCCI rules out Asian Games logistics worries, ready to back India squad in Japan
Synopsis
The BCCI has publicly ruled out any accommodation crisis for India's squad at the Asian Games in Japan — but quietly left the door open to deploy its own logistics if the host arrangements fall short. Secretary Devajit Saikia's remarks, delivered after a Mumbai review meeting, also revealed a Tendulkar-scale ambition for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and defended India's spin depth by pointing to Manav Suthar's 16-wicket haul in Sri Lanka.
Key Takeaways
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia ruled out logistical concerns for the Asian Games cricket event in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan on 3 September .
The men's and women's T20 event runs from 19 September to 3 October ; several Asian teams had raised accommodation concerns.
JCA CEO Naoki Alex Miyaji confirmed teams are offered hotel accommodation and may arrange alternatives independently.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi , aged 15 , is part of a targeted group of 10–15 players monitored by CoE head VVS Laxman .
Saikia defended India's spin resources, citing left-arm spinner Manav Suthar's 16 wickets in the first Test win over Sri Lanka .
India's women's U19 side has won the last two consecutive U19 T20 World Cups .
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has dismissed concerns over player accommodation and facilities ahead of the Asian Games cricket event in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with Secretary Devajit Saikia asserting on 3 September that the board is fully equipped to deploy its own infrastructure should the need arise. The men's and women's T20 event is scheduled to run from 19 September to 3 October.
Background: What Triggered the Concern
Several top Asian cricketing nations had raised questions about accommodation and facility arrangements at the multi-sport event, putting the spotlight on the Japan Cricket Association (JCA). Naoki Alex Miyaji, Chief Executive Officer of the JCA, clarified that participating cricket teams are being offered hotel accommodation, while teams retain the freedom to make their own arrangements if they prefer.
What BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia Said
'There is no such issue that we have discussed or which is on our agenda today or prior to today also. So we are not going to have any difficulties in Japan,' Saikia told reporters after a review meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Thursday. He added: 'If required, BCCI will have its own system in place to provide the best facilities to our players.' The assurance signals that the board is monitoring the situation closely even as it publicly plays down any crisis.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: A Long-Term Blueprint
Saikia also addressed the rapid rise of 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, stressing that the BCCI is pursuing a deliberate, long-term development plan rather than allowing short-term hype to define the teenager's trajectory. 'We want Vaibhav's relevance... to continue and serve as Sachin Tendulkar did for the country,' Saikia said. He confirmed that Sooryavanshi is among a targeted group of 10–15 players under constant monitoring by Centre of Excellence (CoE) head and former India batter VVS Laxman.
Spin Depth and India's Test Cricket Outlook
Responding to criticism about a shortage of frontline spinners in Test cricket, Saikia pointed to India's recent 1-0 series win in Sri Lanka, where left-arm spinner Manav Suthar claimed 16 wickets in the first Test. 'Regarding the shortage of spinners, we won the first Test against Sri Lanka. So who got the wickets? Our spinners,' Saikia said. He argued that the singular criterion must be India winning — whether through pace or spin — and noted that Jasprit Bumrah provides a formidable alternative when conditions do not assist slow bowlers. Notably, India became T20 World Champions earlier this year, and the women's U19 side has won back-to-back U19 T20 World Cups.
What Comes Next
With the Asian Games cricket window less than three weeks away, the BCCI's stance suggests it will wait and assess conditions on the ground before committing to additional logistical support. The board's broader talent pipeline — anchored by Laxman's CoE and a robust U19 programme — appears designed to ensure that India's competitive edge extends well beyond the current generation of senior players.
Point of View
But the caveat — 'if required, BCCI will have its own system in place' — tells a more cautious story. A board that truly had no concerns would not need to pre-announce a contingency. The Sooryavanshi section is more revealing: comparing a 15-year-old to Tendulkar in the same breath as urging restraint is a tension the BCCI will need to manage carefully, especially as media and commercial pressures around the teenager intensify. On spinners, Saikia's rebuttal is statistically valid but sidesteps the structural question — one strong series from Suthar does not resolve the depth concern that surfaces every time R. Ashwin or Ravindra Jadeja is unavailable.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the BCCI's concerns about the Asian Games in Japan?
The BCCI has stated it has no logistical concerns regarding player accommodation at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Secretary Devajit Saikia said the board is prepared to provide its own infrastructure if the host arrangements prove inadequate, but does not anticipate needing to do so.
When is the cricket event at the 2023 Asian Games?
The men's and women's T20 cricket event at the Asian Games is scheduled from 19 September to 3 October in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Several top Asian teams had raised questions about accommodation arrangements ahead of the tournament.
Who is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and why is the BCCI monitoring him closely?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a 15-year-old batting prodigy who has already made an impact on the international stage. The BCCI, through CoE head VVS Laxman, is monitoring him as part of a targeted group of 10–15 emerging players, with a focus on sustainable long-term development rather than short-term results.
How did BCCI respond to criticism about India's spin-bowling depth in Tests?
Secretary Devajit Saikia pointed to India's 1-0 Test series win in Sri Lanka, where left-arm spinner Manav Suthar took 16 wickets, as evidence that the spin department is functional. He argued that winning — whether through pace or spin — is the only metric that matters.
What is the BCCI's Centre of Excellence and who heads it?
The BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) is the board's elite player development and monitoring unit. It is headed by former India batter VVS Laxman, who oversees the training, skill development, and career progression of a targeted group of emerging Indian cricketers.
