Shastri Calls for India to Host World Test Championship Final Amidst Venue Debate

Shastri Advocates for India to Host Future WTC Finals

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has voiced his support for England as the current host of the World Test Championship (WTC) finals, while also suggesting the event could move to larger stadiums in India and Australia as its global popularity increases.

England has consistently hosted the WTC finals, with three successive championships held at different venues in the country over the past six years. The inaugural final, featuring India and New Zealand, was held at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The Oval hosted the subsequent final, where Australia defeated India. Most recently, Lord's Cricket Ground in London hosted South Africa's victory against Australia, ending South Africa's 27-year wait for an ICC trophy under Temba Bavuma.

"I think to start off initially, it's good if it's here (Lord's) actually. Once it gets the popularity and eyebrows it deserves, then it can start shifting. But I think the MCG can be a great place for a World Test Championship Final. Ahmedabad can be a great place for the WTC Final. Basically, the places where you can draw a crowd. Because Lord's is not a 100,000-seater stadium. So, irrespective of which team is playing, you know you will get a good crowd," Shastri stated on a Wisden Cricket podcast.

The International Cricket Council's Future Tours Program indicates that England will continue hosting the WTC finals for the next two cycles. The 2027 WTC Final is scheduled for Lord's, with subsequent finals planned for 2029 and 2031. The Board of Control for Cricket in India's recent bid to host the 2027 final was unsuccessful, with England favored due to its commitment to neutral Test matches.

London venues have demonstrated their capacity to attract neutral cricket fans who value the traditional format. Shastri's suggestion highlights the potential of larger venues like the Narendra Modi Stadium in India and the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia to host future championships.

These alternative venues offer substantially larger seating capacities than traditional English grounds. This could accommodate more spectators as the World Test Championship gains a wider global following.

The evolution of WTC final venues reflects the growing nature of Test cricket's premier championship. While England provides a solid foundation, the tournament has the potential for geographical expansion as its global appeal increases. The ongoing discussion about venue selection balances tradition with growth in Test cricket's premier event.