The bitterness in relations between India and Bangladesh is steadily increasing. Political and diplomatic ties have not completely broken down, but tensions between the two countries on the 22-yard pitch have now reached their peak. Bangladesh is deeply angered by the BCCI's directive to exclude Mustafizur Rahman from the 2026 IPL, and the Bangladesh government and cricket board have shown strong reactions against India. However, the Bangladesh board's rigid stance has pushed their own future into jeopardy, as some BCCI decisions could cause major damage to Bangladesh cricket.
Crores of rupees in losses if bilateral cricket is cancelled
The Bangladesh government and board are forgetting that the BCCI can cause them significant damage. The biggest loss would be to BCB's revenue. In fact, whichever country the Indian team tours, that country's cricket board earns the most by organising the series. Even wealthy boards like Australia and England earn substantial money from Indian team tours. And for a smaller board like Bangladesh, the Indian team tours are the most profitable. Now, if the BCCI stops bilateral series with Bangladesh in the future, Bangladesh will lose the opportunity to earn crores of rupees.
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Ban on Bangladeshi players in IPL
If bilateral series are stopped, BCB will suffer losses, and another decision could also increase problems for their cricketers. Already, only a handful of Bangladeshi players used to get opportunities in the IPL. After the new tensions, the BCCI could completely ban Bangladeshi cricketers like Pakistani players. This would cause Bangladesh players to lose earning opportunities. Not only that, any foreign player has to give 10 per cent of their IPL earnings to their respective boards. As a result, BCB would also be deprived of that money.
Obstacles in foreign leagues, too, reduced earnings
The matter is not limited to just the IPL. Currently, IPL owners have franchises in many major leagues around the world. From South Africa to America, the West Indies and the UAE, they have teams. Now IPL owners have also entered England's The Hundred. As a result, the BCCI could unofficially instruct them not to take Bangladeshi players in foreign league teams either. Already, no foreign league teams owned by IPL owners are buying Pakistani players. The same situation could arise for Bangladeshi cricketers, which would seriously impact their earnings.
Action against Bangladesh through ICC
Besides this, the BCCI could pressure Bangladesh by using its influence in the ICC. Bangladesh has refused to send their team to India for the World Cup and has demanded that the matches be moved. Currently, Indian cricket has much more influence in the ICC, as both Chairman Jay Shah and CEO Sanjog Gupta are Indians. As a result, if the BCCI wants, it could ask the ICC not to change the schedule. This could cause Bangladesh to lose their place in the T20 World Cup, and BCB might also have to face fines or suspension. Besides this, there could be major cuts in the annual money received from the ICC.
Also Read | What will happen if Bangladesh refuses to play T20 World Cup matches in India?
Youth might turn away from cricket
If the board doesn't have money, then they won't be able to properly organise tournaments. They won't be able to give good remuneration to players either. This could increase apathy towards cricket in Bangladesh, and talented youth might turn away from this sport. As a result, the future of Bangladesh cricket could be seriously damaged.
