The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly considering relocating several World Cups to be held in India, citing political tensions and logistical challenges as neighboring countries refuse to tour each other.
According to Australian media reports, the ICC is actively exploring the possibility of shifting both the 2029 Champions Trophy and the 2031 ODI World Cup to alternative venues.
The move comes in response to the impasse between India and Pakistan, who have refused to play cricket against each other.
If the transfer goes ahead, reports suggest that Australia is the frontrunner to host these events.
The country has a strong recent track record of hosting major ICC events, having hosted the 2015 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup.
The current impasse stems from an earlier agreement between the Indian and Pakistan cricket boards, brokered by the ICC, to host all future matches between the two countries at neutral venues during World Cups.
The arrangement was initially made after India refused to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy. While the deal was initially valid until 2027, reports suggest that it will be extended indefinitely to cover all future ICC events.
The board’s deliberations are also complicated by Bangladesh’s recent withdrawal from the 2026 T20 World Cup, which is currently being held in India and Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh refused to travel to India for the match and the ICC rejected their request to shift their matches to Sri Lanka, leaving the team with no option but to pull out of the tournament.
The current situation puts the cricket landscape at a standstill: India won’t play in Pakistan, Pakistan won’t play in India, and Bangladesh have also refused to tour India.
It is highly uncertain whether India will tour Bangladesh for future bilateral series.
Rising cross-border political tensions have further strained relations on the ground. The Indian team specifically refused to shake hands with Pakistani players following matches during the 2023 Asia Cup.
The trend continued during the ongoing T20 World Cup—for which Pakistan is playing all its matches in Sri Lanka—attracting significant criticism from fans and commentators.