Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Thursday, 3 September confirmed it has accepted the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision to strip the island nation of hosting rights for the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy 2027 and relocate the tournament to India. The board pledged full cooperation with the ICC and the host nation to ensure the smooth conduct of the six-team event.

Why Sri Lanka Lost Hosting Rights

The ICC removed Sri Lanka's hosting rights following government interference in the SLC's governance — a direct violation of the global body's strict prohibition on political appointments within member boards. The SLC is currently administered by a government-appointed Transformation Committee, an interim body established to oversee constitutional reforms within the country's cricket administration. This marks the second major ICC tournament Sri Lanka has lost in two years, underlining a deepening institutional crisis in the country's cricket setup.

Sri Lanka's Women's Team Retains Qualification

Despite the administrative blow, Sri Lanka's women's national team has secured automatic qualification for the tournament, based on its standing at the 6 July cut-off date for the ICC's qualification process. The team's participation remains unaffected by the board-level dispute, offering a rare silver lining in an otherwise difficult period for Sri Lankan cricket administration.

What the SLC Said

'Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) notes the International Cricket Council's decision regarding the hosting of the upcoming ICC Women's Champions Trophy 2027,' the board said in an official statement. It added: 'SLC welcomes the qualification of the Sri Lanka women's national team and remains committed to providing the team with the necessary support in its preparation for the tournament.' The SLC also stated it 'will continue to work closely with the ICC, the host nation of the ICC Women's Champions Trophy, and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful conduct of the inaugural tournament.'

Tournament Details: Format, Teams, and Venues

The inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy 2027 is scheduled from 14 to 28 February next year, with matches to be held across Mumbai and Vadodara in India. The six participating nations — Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka — will compete in a single round-robin league stage, with the top two teams advancing to the final on 28 February. This is the first edition of the Women's Champions Trophy, and India's role as a late-stage replacement host adds further significance to the event on home soil.

What Happens Next

With the ICC's decision now formalised, attention shifts to Sri Lanka's preparation of its women's squad for the tournament. The SLC's ability to stabilise its governance under the Transformation Committee — and eventually restore full ICC compliance — will determine whether the board can reclaim hosting rights for future events. Cricket observers note that Sri Lanka's men's board faced a similar ICC suspension in 2023 over government interference, suggesting a recurring pattern that the administration has yet to fully resolve.