Final decision waits for Indian cricket teams to participate in Asian Games

The final decision will be made by the BCCI after reviewing the existing commitments of both teams.

Indian cricket teams are unlikely to participate at the upcoming Asian Games due to existing bilateral commitments. Cricket will make a comeback at the Asian Games in Hangzhou later this year. However, Indian teams have a tight schedule during the period.

Cricket fans were expecting the Indian teams to play in the games slated to be held in September. But now, the Indian men's cricket team is unlikely to take part in the tournament. They can’t risk injury to the players ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia from October 16.

Participation of the Indian women's team now also looks uncertain. They will compete at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July-August. "As far as the Asian Games in Hangzhou are concerned, a final decision on whether to send both men's and women's teams will be taken later and based on our existing commitments," BCCI secretary Jay Shah told Reuters.

The Indian women's cricket team are scheduled to tour England and the dates are clashing with the Asian Games. Indian women will play three ODIs and an equal number of T20Is during the England tour. India’s participation in any cricket-related tournament is always profitable for the organization.

Bilateral commitments are priority

Jay Shah remarked, "The BCCI has always stood by member boards and helped them in these difficult times. The board firmly believes in honouring its bilateral commitments. We are committed to our fans here in India and it is absolutely important that we safeguard our home season. The FTP (Future Tours Programme) that has been created and it needs to be adhered to."

India is a member of the South Asian Zone of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). It has competed in all the seven editions of the Asian games becoming the only country among the seven more to do so.

"The BCCI and ICC are on the same page on this and agree that the inclusion of cricket in the Olympics is good for the growth of the game," concluded Jay Shah.

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