Aaditya Thackeray's googly to ICC: Why host T20 WC final in Ahmedabad and not Mumbai?
Mumbai (PTI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday targeted the International Cricket Council (ICC) for choosing Ahmedabad in neighboring Gujarat as the venue for the T20 Cricket World Cup and alleged politics of favoritism.
In a post on X, Thackeray asked why Mumbai can't be the venue for the T20 World Cup final to be held early next year.
Eight venues, five in India and three in Sri Lanka, will host the 55 matches of the tournament, the schedule of which was unveiled on Monday.
The 20-team tournament, which includes debutants Italy, will be divided into four groups of five with eight teams progressing to the Super Eight stage. Four teams will then make the semi-finals, slated to be held in Kolkata or Colombo and Mumbai.
The Indian government has barred all bilateral sporting engagements with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in April this year, but has permitted contests between the two nations in multinational events.
The final will take place in either Ahmedabad or Colombo, depending on Pakistan's qualification.
"So the T20 World Cup fixture is out. Guess where the final is scheduled? Ahmedabad. What's this fascination of pulling every single final there? Has this been a traditional cricket venue? Why not Mumbai? Wankhede (stadium in Mumbai) will be the absolute best venue for a T20 World Cup final. Remember 2011? The one in Ahmedabad has already hosted a World Cup final. Expecting the @ICC not to indulge in politics and favouritism," said the former state minister.
Thackeray maintained some other venues in India are also capable of hosting the final match.
"Likewise, Eden Gardens - Kolkata, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, IS Bindra - Mohali,' all of these are good to host the T20 World Cup Finals. But due to this sudden politics of favouritism, we face injustice," he said on X.
The Wankhede Stadium in south Mumbai has a seating capacity of 33,500, while the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad can host 1.32 lakh cricket fans.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
India moving towards becoming global economic powerhouse: Kovind
_vb_69.jpeg)
Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.
The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.
"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.
The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.
He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.
