New Champions Trophy rule puts India in a conundrum

Makeover of Cricket continues, as now this time there will be a new format for Champions Trophy. ICC Development International (IDI), the commercial arm of the International Cricket Council, has approved a new format that will see just eight teams in action for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy in India.

“After the last ICC Champions Trophy we sought the opinions of a wide range of stakeholders and conducted a thorough review of the tournament’s structure,” ICC CEO Malcolm Speed said in a release.

“The IDI Board is of the view that the new format has addressed the main flaws of the previous 12-team system and we now look forward to an exciting major international event in India.”

A new simplified format will be introduced for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy in India. But it is not yet over.

India could be forced to play the qualifying round of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy to be held in the country next year if it could not improve its current ODI standing.

The 2003 World Cup runners-up are at present in the seventh spot in the ICC ODI Championship table and would at least have to move one position higher by April 1, 2006 if they want a direct entry in the event, after the board of ICC development (international) Ltd approved a new format for the championship at its meeting at Dublin yesterday.

The new format for the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 to be held in India has been approved by the International Cricket Council (ICC) at its meeting in Dublin. Eight teams are split into two groups of four with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the semi-finals and final.

The eight teams will comprise the top six sides in the LG ICC ODI championship table on April 1, 2006 plus the top two teams from the initial qualifying round of the ICC Champions Trophy 2006.

This initial qualifying round will take place in India in the days immediately preceding the group stage. It will be a four-team round robin play-off for the teams ranked 7-10 in the LG ICC ODI championship table on April 1, 2006.

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said the new format would be highly competitive for all the participating teams.

‘’After the last ICC Champions Trophy we sought the opinions of a wide range of stakeholders and conducted a thorough review of the tournament’s structure,'’ said Speed.

‘’The IDI board is of the view that the new format has addressed the main flaws of the previous 12-team system and we now look forward to an exciting major international event in India.'’

The IDI board confirmed that the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 will take place in India subject to formal notification of tax exemption from the Indian government and confirmation of the terms of the host agreement between the ICC and the board of control for cricket in India.

The IDI board reviewed a draft fixtures schedule for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. The input of the board will be incorporated before ICC President Ehsan Mani in Trinidad announces the final tournament schedule on July 19.

A sad day for Indian cricket - India could be forced to play the qualifying round of the ICC Champions Trophy

Does Indian cricket faces the same dark gloom and doom like Indian Hockey? It is a sad day for Indian cricket.

According to media reports, India could be forced to play the qualifying round of the ICC Champions Trophy to be held in the country next year if it could not improve its current ODI standing.