BCCI to discuss 2023-2027 home season media rights in Apex Council meet

By India Today Sports DeskBoard of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to put the media rights for bilateral cricket at home for sale and begin the process to appoint the head coach of India women’s cricket team at its Apex Council meeting on Sunday.

BCCI would have high expectations for the home season rights for the 2023-2027 cycle after earning INR 48,390 crore from the IPL media rights. According to PTI news agency, a three-way battle could take place following the entry of Viacom into the Indian cricket ecosystem, with the other two being Star and Sony.

The BCCI profited from selling the broadcast and digital rights separately for the IPL and it is expected to follow that for the international games at home. Star had paid INR 6,138.1 crore for the previous cycle that ended on March 31.

WOMEN’S HEAD COACH

India women’s cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, competed in the 2023 T20 World Cup without a head coach. Batting coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar oversaw the team after the sacking of head coach Ramesh Powar in December 2022. The BCCI is expected to soon invite applications for the position. India crashed out in the semi-final after losing to eventual champions Australia in South Africa.

TAX EXEMPTION FOR WORLD CUP

As the host of the 50-over World Cup, India is required to get tax exemption from the government for hosting tournaments organised by the International Cricket Council. However, India’s tax rules don’t allow such exemptions, though the BCCI is pushing for a win-win solution in its talks with the government.

If the government sticks to its decision to levy 21.84 percent tax surcharge on ICC’s broadcast revenue from the 2023 World Cup, then the board could lose as much as INR 955 crore.

The BCCI will also discuss the ratification of player contracts, revised travel policy of BCCI officials and domestic schedule for 2023-2024 season in its agenda. The board will also be looking for a replacement for jersey sponsorship after Byju’s contract saw a premature end. Adidas is set to be India’s team kit sponsor replacing KKCL, maker of Killer jeans.