BCCI President Mithun Manhas remains silent as Bangladesh T20 World Cup fiasco escalates

Mithun Manhas remains silent on Bangladesh T20 World Cup fiasco. [Source - @ani/x.com]

The Bangladesh Cricket refusal to travel to India for the T20 World Cup has triggered major debate. While the ICC stood firm on the schedule, attention quickly shifted to BCCI President Mithun Manhas and his carefully chosen silence on the issue.

Reporters tried to force Mithun Manhas for a reaction when he arrived in Raipur, hoping for clarity from Indian cricket’s top administrator. However, instead of addressing the growing controversy, Manhas chose to deflect the questions with calm.

As Bangladesh Cricket Board officials accused the ICC of bias, the situation became more sensitive. With matches scheduled across Kolkata and Mumbai, the standoff has created uncertainty and added fresh tension to the buildup of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Mithun Manhas avoids questions on Bangladesh T20 World Cup issue

Mithun Manhas was asked repeatedly about Bangladesh’s decision not to travel to India when he arrived at Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur. In a video posted by ANI, surrounded by reporters, the BCCI president initially ignored the questions, walking ahead without offering any response.

As journalists continued pressing him, Manhas finally spoke but avoided the topic entirely, saying he had come to Raipur for the second T20I match before entering his car and leaving. His brief reply ended any hope of immediate clarification.

Manhas was in Raipur to attend the second T20I between India and New Zealand. The match itself remained the official focus of his visit, allowing the former Delhi captain to sidestep the Bangladesh issue without escalating an already tense situation.

Bangladesh’s refusal and ICC’s firm stand create bigger fiasco

Bangladesh’s decision not to travel to India followed the ICC's rejection of their request to shift matches to a neutral venue. The BCB expressed frustration, arguing that similar exceptions were made earlier for other teams in global tournaments.

The situation was already sensitive due to Mustafizur Rahman’s unresolved issue with KKR in the IPL, which added fuel to the fire. Combined with security concerns and scheduling disputes, the controversy quickly grew beyond just logistics.

Despite the backlash, the ICC made it clear that no changes would be made to the T20 World Cup schedule or venues. Bangladesh is still scheduled to play matches in Kolkata and Mumbai, starting their campaign against the West Indies at Eden Gardens.

Silence, standoff and unanswered questions

Mithun Manhas choosing silence reflects how sensitive the situation has become. With emotions running high and official positions in a cautious position, even a small statement could have added pressure to an already complex international cricket dispute.

As things stand, the ICC remains firm, and rightly so, as Bangladesh remains unhappy, and the BCCI leadership is cautious. Unless cooler heads prevail soon, the T20 World Cup build-up may continue to be overshadowed by politics from across the border rather than cricket.

With the tournament only weeks away, changing venues or schedules is almost impossible due to logistics, broadcasting, and team planning. If Bangladesh refuse to travel, the ICC is reportedly prepared to bring Scotland into the tournament to protect the event’s structure.