NEW DELHI: As reports of a crisis over the accommodation arrangements start coming in from the Asian Games in Japan, it has emerged that the Indian cricket board (BCCI) has arranged its own accommodation for the men’s cricket team.“BCCI has arranged its own arrangement for the men’s team since the contingent is much bigger than the permissible number of members because of the size of the support staff. We don’t want to segregate the men’s team during the tournament,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told TOI.“The women’s team is staying in the facilities provided by the organising committee since the size of the contingent is within the permissible number of 20 members,” he added.However, Saikia insisted that the BCCI has faith in the local organisation committee to provide satisfactory on-ground facilities at the match venue despite reports of other Asian cricket boards raising objections about the quality of the ground. “We fully trust the organising committee to give the best facilities. This is a big event and I am sure they will do what is required. I’ll be reaching there on Oct 1. Only then I can give you a clear picture of the circumstances,” he added.
‘Asiad gold as important as any other title’
There have been contrasting views in Indian cricket circles about the board’s decision to send a full-strength T20I team to the Asian Games, which coincides with the start of the preparations for next year’s ODI World Cup as India are slated to play an ODI series against West Indies at home. India will have at least seven first-choice ODI players playing at the Asian Games. Interestingly, India won the gold medal at the last Asian Games in 2023 with a second-string team as the premier players were held back to prepare for the 2023 ODI World Cup.Saikia asserted that the board’s decision was based on the realisation of the value of an Asian Games gold medal. “We are eyeing a gold medal which is very important. We all know India can field three strong teams at a time. We see Asian Games as a very important assignment which can’t be given secondary treatment. That’s why our full-strength team including Bumrah and regular captain Iyer is going. An Asian Games gold is as important as any other big tournament,” Saikia stated.“I wasn’t the secretary when the last Asian Games happened. So, I can’t comment on it,” he added.
‘Match against Japan was ICC chair’s idea’
The BCCI also announced a T20I match against Japan on September 22 to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. Saikia revealed that the idea of the match was initiated by ICC chairman Jay Shah. “It’s the initiative of ICC chairman Jay Shah who wants to take cricket to every nook and corner of the world. He made me sit with my Japanese counterpart during the last ICC meet in Edinburgh in July this year. Japan is a country where cricket is growing gradually. Mr. Shah took this initiative and we agreed to the idea,” said Saikia.
