5 key points of contention between ICC and BCCI

5. BCCI’s strong hand in the two-tier structure concept being scrapped

BCCI played a pivotal role in the proposed two-tier structure being shelved

In an attempt to revive Test cricket, the ICC had proposed a two-tier structure wherein there would be 7 teams in the top tier and 5 teams in the bottom tier. While poor performing top tier teams would stand the threat of being relegated, the top performers in the bottom tier would get to rub shoulders with the big boys of the longest format.

The proposal met with a positive response from most boards including the England Cricket Board, Cricket Australia, Cricket South Africa and the Pakistan Cricket Board among others. However, boards from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe voiced their disapproval about the innovation targeted at breathing a new life into Test cricket.

The opposition by these members received a major boost when the BCCI decided to put their weight behind them. This forced the ICC to reconsider the introduction of this concept and it was finally withdrawn during the council’s Chief Executives’ Committee meeting held a few days back in Dubai.