Virat Kohli's Childhood Coach Endorses ICC's Decision to Replace Bangladesh with Scotland in T20 World Cup 2026
Virat Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma has publicly supported the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. This significant development comes after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) declined to participate in the tournament according to the officially released schedule.
Security Concerns and ICC's Response
Speaking to ANI, Sharma emphasized the ICC's thorough approach to addressing Bangladesh's concerns. "When Bangladesh was told that there were no security problems here, and everyone knows that there are no security problems in India, which was the reason they gave, and then the ICC also gave them a warning," Sharma stated. "The ICC gave them time. But when they didn't agree, then the ICC had to take this decision, and I think it's absolutely the right decision. If you are not listening to your parent body, then I would say this is absolutely the right decision by the ICC."
The BCB had approached the ICC seeking to have their fixtures shifted from India to Sri Lanka, citing "security and safety concerns" for their players. This request followed a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asking IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur ahead of the 2026 season, against the backdrop of violence against minorities in Bangladesh.
ICC's Comprehensive Security Assessment
According to an ICC release, the governing body undertook a detailed consultation process lasting over three weeks, engaging the BCB through several rounds of discussions held both virtually and in person. During this period, the ICC evaluated the concerns raised and sought independent security assessments from internal and external experts.
The ICC shared comprehensive operational and security plans, including arrangements at both federal and state levels along with enhanced protocols for the event. These assurances were reiterated multiple times, including during meetings involving the ICC Business Corporation (IBC) Board.
The assessments ultimately concluded that there was no substantiated security risk to Bangladesh players, officials or supporters. The ICC also stressed the importance of maintaining the integrity of the tournament schedule and avoiding precedents that could compromise the neutrality of future events.
Tournament Details and Replacement Process
The 20-team tournament is scheduled to be held from February 7 to March 8, 2026. Following a meeting on Wednesday, the IBC Board asked the BCB to confirm participation within 24 hours. With no response received, the ICC moved ahead with its governance process to identify a replacement.
Scotland, currently ranked 14th in T20Is, were next in line. They are placed above seven teams already in the tournament:
- Namibia
- The UAE
- Nepal
- The USA
- Canada
- Oman
- Italy
This decision marks a significant moment in international cricket governance, highlighting the importance of tournament integrity while addressing member concerns through proper channels and assessments.
