Jay Shah and Indian captain Shreyas Iyer (Source: AFP)
In a major development, India could make a major change in its plans for the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with the BCCI considering sending a second-string team (B TEAM).
The decision comes after concerns were raised over the facilities, pitch conditions and accommodation arrangements for participating teams in the much-anticipated tournament.
BCCI To Send Observer Before Taking Final Call For Asian Games 2026
The Asian Games 2026 will begin on September 19, with the competition scheduled from September 24 to October 3. The women's tournament will take place from September 17 to 22.
According to a BCCI source cited by the latest reports from ANI, both the BCCI and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) have expressed dissatisfaction with the arrangements in Japan.
The board is now expected to send an observer to inspect the venue and other facilities to make a final call.
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It is also important to note that the observer will submit a report to the BCCI. If the arrangements are deemed unsuitable and unacceptable, the board could decide to send a 'B' team instead of its available and announced squad.
“BCCI and ACC are not happy with the facilities and arrangements in Japan, and the board will send an observer there. The observer will submit its report to us, and if arrangements are not up to the mark, we could consider sending a B team there," the source told the news agency (ANI).
“We told Japan Olympics officials during the ACC in a meeting that the dressing rooms were set up in tents and washrooms were just 500 m away from those tents, which has created an unsatisfying situation for the players. Also, the hotel rooms are really small, and it is a big concern," the source added.
What Are The Major Concerns Regarding The Facility In Japan For Asian Games 2026?
One of the biggest concerns is the condition of the dressing rooms. The BCCI has reportedly been informed that dressing rooms have been arranged inside tents, while washrooms are located around 500 metres away.
Such arrangements have raised concerns about the comfort and convenience of players. Another issue that has been reportedly flagged to BCCI is accommodation. The source also said the hotel rooms are very small, adding to the board's concerns.
The final decision on India’s squad will be taken after the inspection report. If the facilities fail to meet expectations, India may use the Asian Games to give opportunities to younger and reserve players rather than its first-choice stars.
India men’s T20I squad for Asian Games: Shreyas Iyer (capt), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (vice-capt), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Jasprit Bumrah.
Indian women’s T20I squad for Asian Games: Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vice-capt), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), G. Kamalini (WK), Bharti Fulmali, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, Nandni Sharma.
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