India to host T20 World Cup irrespective of tax exemption

This picture has been used for representational purpose

India is set to host the ICC T20 World Cup later this year irrespective of whether the BCCI manages to get tax exemption from the government or not.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) had given BCCI December 31 to confirm the status of full tax exemption. The ICC had set two conditions if the BCCI failed to get the exemptions. Either the T20 World Cup would be moved to UAE or the requisite tax would be deducted from the money owed to the BCCI by the ICC.

The issue was discussed threadbare in Sunday's Apex Council meeting of the BCCI. "The issue was minutely discussed. We are still in talks with the government. We have decided to host the event irrespective of whether we get the tax exemption or not," a BCCI source told mid-day.

The ICC had earlier attempted to recover the tax from the 2016 T20 World Cup held in India.

Meanwhile, the Apex Council have authorised the officebearers to take a call on the domestic season. A decision on whether to host the Vijay Hazare Trophy (50 overs) or the Ranji Trophy (4-day cricket) is expected to be taken in a couple of days.

"There was mixed opinion. Some wanted Vijay Hazare, while some were keen on Ranji Trophy. The officebearers will take a call in two to three days time," the source said.

New Zealand is expected to tour India before the T20 World Cup in November. Women's cricket too is likely to kick-off as the BCCI is planning to hold international tournaments for the Indian women's team in a few months. "Talks are still one. Once the fixtures are finalised, we will declare them." the source said.