The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday sent its officials to inspect the Eden Gardens as part of preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Following the visit, the ICC “expressed satisfaction” at the venue facilities ahead of the event, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7.
The ICC tour of Eden Gardens came a day after the Bangladesh Cricket Board issued a final ultimatum to play its World Cup matches at scheduled venues. Eden Gardens is set to host Bangladesh’s three group-stage games at the 2026 T20 World Cup unless Bangladesh is replaced by Scotland.
ICC confirms Eden Gardens ready for T20 World Cup
Officials from the International Cricket Council and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) conducted a joint review of Eden Gardens to assess preparations for the World Cup.
The inspection included the pitch, seating areas, corporate section and other stadium facilities. Notably, the Bengal Cricket Association said that the visiting officials were satisfied with the arrangements and expressed confidence in staging a successful World Cup at the venue.
“The ICC team visited the iconic ground, corporate box and saw all the facilities at the stadium and expressed happiness and said the international cricket body is looking forward to hosting a successful World Cup,” the CAB was quoted as saying by PTI.
Eden Gardens pitch is in the headlines before the T20 World Cup
Eden Gardens faced questions over the condition of the pitch after the two-day Test against South Africa in November 2025. This surface sparked debate, but the ICC later declared it satisfactory.
Match referee Richie Richardson supported that view, while India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said the pitch behaved abnormally without labeling it unsafe.
The venue of Kolkata will play an important role in the T20 World Cup. It is set to host five group matches, including one of the opening three matches on February 7. Eden Gardens will also host a Super Eight match and could host a semi-final.
The semi-finals depend on Pakistan’s progress in the tournament. If Pakistan reaches the last four, their match will be played in Colombo, as their knockout matches have already been allocated there to avoid geopolitical issues with India.
Bangladesh’s participation in T20 World Cup still in doubt
Bangladesh are uncertain about traveling to India for the T20 World Cup after sports advisor Asif Nazrul said the ICC’s security assessment is not acceptable.
The standoff intensified after Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the IPL on the instructions of BCCI. Since then, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has continued to refuse to tour India, even as the ICC rejected requests to move their matches elsewhere.
The ICC has warned BCB that Bangladesh will be thrown out of the tournament if they refuse to travel. In that scenario, Scotland, the highest-ranked T20I team outside the 20-team field, will take their place.
Meanwhile, the Bengal Cricket Association held a special meeting with senior Kolkata Police officials to address the concerns raised by Bangladesh. Police officials assured that enhanced security will be provided to all the teams during the tournament.
Also read: Bangladesh ordered to use ‘Captain Liton Das is Hindu’ narrative to end T20 World Cup row with India, ICC
