Impact of Political Tensions on India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh Cricket Relations
BCCI's Financial Influence in World Cricket
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) plays a pivotal role in global cricket, particularly in financial aspects, contributing nearly 80% of the revenue for the International Cricket Council (ICC). Jay Shah, who held the position of BCCI secretary from 2019 to 2024 and is now the ICC Chairman, has been instrumental in enhancing the financial strength of the BCCI, making it the most powerful cricket board.
Political and Security Concerns Affecting Matches
India's cricket matches, especially those against Pakistan, draw massive television audiences, significant sponsorship deals, and packed stadiums. However, recent political and security issues may lead India to reconsider playing against not only Pakistan but also Bangladesh.
Security Tensions After Deadly Attack
On April 22, a terrorist attack in the Pahalgam region of Jammu & Kashmir resulted in the tragic deaths of 26 individuals, primarily tourists. This incident has affected the cricketing ties between India and its neighboring countries.
While relations with Bangladesh have historically been better than those with Pakistan, recent tensions have arisen. A former Bangladeshi military officer made a provocative statement suggesting that Bangladesh should claim northeastern Indian territory if India were to attack Pakistan, further straining relations.
Given these circumstances, reports indicate that India's upcoming tour to Bangladesh may be canceled due to concerns over the safety of Indian players and officials. The BCCI is closely monitoring the situation before making any final decisions. There is also speculation that India may not compete against Pakistan in future ICC events, including the ICC T20 World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy, and the Asia Cup.
Financial Consequences for Pakistan and Bangladesh
If India decides to forgo matches against these teams, the repercussions will extend beyond cricket, significantly impacting their cricket boards financially.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Matches between India and Pakistan are among the most-watched sporting events worldwide. The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match attracted 35 million live viewers, generating $3-4 million in revenue for the ICC, part of which is allocated to boards like the PCB.
Should India stop playing Pakistan in ICC events or the Asia Cup, the PCB could face losses of approximately $12-15 million per ICC cycle, potentially escalating to ₹165-220 crore (around $20-26 million) every four years.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)
India's recent tour to Bangladesh in 2022 generated around ₹70-80 crore for the BCB. Indian tours typically lead to full stadiums, increased sponsorship, and high television viewership. If India cancels or postpones future tours, the BCB could lose ₹70-100 crore per visit.
Moreover, if India insists on exclusive groups in ICC tournaments, it could prevent Bangladesh from facing India, resulting in a significant reduction in joint revenue from ICC broadcasts, leading to an additional loss of ₹20-30 crore per cycle. Overall, the BCB could lose ₹70-100 crore (approximately $12-15 million) for each missed tour over four years.
Wider Implications for the Sport
India is projected to earn $230 million annually from the ICC's revenue plan for 2024-2027. Since a large portion of ICC revenue relies on Indian viewers and sponsors, avoiding matches against Pakistan and Bangladesh could diminish the overall broadcast value for all teams. If India opts out of facing these teams, sponsors and broadcasters may lower their bids for upcoming major tournaments, which could also affect bilateral series.
Conclusion
If India maintains its stance on not playing against Pakistan and possibly Bangladesh, the PCB could incur losses of up to ₹220 crore, while the BCB might lose around ₹130 crore in each ICC cycle. Beyond financial implications, fewer matches involving India could lead to reduced international exposure, fewer opportunities for players, and a genuine risk of financial instability.