Mithun Manhas Skips Comment on Bangladesh T20 World Cup Boycott
BCCI President Mithun Manhas dodges questions on Bangladesh refusing to travel to India for T20 World Cup 2026.
The controversy surrounding Bangladesh’s participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 intensified after BCCI President Mithun Manhas declined to comment on the issue on Thursday. Manhas was questioned by reporters about Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India for the tournament but chose to avoid the topic while arriving in Raipur.
The former Delhi captain was approached by the media outside Swami Vivekananda Airport ahead of the second T20I match in Raipur. In a video that has since gone viral, Manhas is seen initially ignoring repeated questions before briefly responding with a smile, stating, “I have come here for the second T20I match in Raipur,” without addressing the controversy.
Bangladesh’s decision came a day after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected their request to shift their T20 World Cup matches to a neutral venue. Following the ICC’s refusal, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) formally announced that the team would not travel to India for the tournament, triggering strong reactions across the cricketing world.
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BCB President Aminul Islam sharply criticised the ICC, accusing the global governing body of applying double standards. He pointed to the ICC’s earlier decision to allow India to play all their matches in the 2025 Champions Trophy at a neutral venue in the UAE instead of travelling to Pakistan, calling it a “privilege” extended to one team but denied to another.
Despite the standoff, Bangladesh remains scheduled to begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 7 against two-time champions West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Litton Das-led side is also slated to face Italy and England at the same venue before travelling to Mumbai to play Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium.
With less than a year to go for the marquee event, uncertainty continues to loom over Bangladesh’s participation, while the ICC and host nation India are yet to issue a detailed response. The situation is being closely watched, as it could have significant implications for tournament logistics and international cricket relations.
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