ICC T20 World Cup: India remains the venue for 2021

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reiterated its decision to keep India as the venue for T20 World Cup in 2021.

There were speculations that the ICC might change the venue due to the Covid-19 situation in India. However, reports quoting the ICC spokesperson suggest that the international cricket body hasn't amended the schedule and venue as yet.

A press release by the ICC on November 12 said, "With just twelve months to go to the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 in India, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have teamed up to reveal the brand identity of the 16 team tournament in Dubai today."

ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said, “With Diwali just two days away and with the countdown to the tournament in India underway, this is an opportune moment to unveil our brand identity that so wonderfully reflects the vibrant festival of lights.

According to the release, the teams participating in the tournament in 2021 are Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, Namibia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies.

On July 20, the ICC had announced its decision to postpone ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The IBC Board (the commercial subsidiary of the ICC) announced the window for the next three ICC men’s events as follows -

(a) ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 will be held October – November 2021 with the final on 14 November 2021

(b) ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 will be held October – November 2022 with the final on 13 November 2022

(c) ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 will be held in India October – November 2023 with the final on 26 November 2023

A fortnight after its July 20 release, the ICC on August 7 said in a press release, "ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 that was postponed due to COVID-19 will be held in Australia in 2022. India will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 as planned."