Sourav Ganguly, the president of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday said that it is a matter of great honour for the board to be hosting the 2021 T20 World Cup in India.

Sourav Ganguly also mentioned that India had successfully staged various global tournaments like 1987, 1996 and 2011 50 overs World Cup besides 2016 ICC World T20 World Cup and 2006 Champions Trophy and he will look forward to playing his role as an administrator this time around instead of being player or captain.

Sourav Ganguly. Image Credit: Getty Images.

Sourav Ganguly: Honour For BCCI To Host ICC T20 World Cup

International Cricket Council (ICC) and the BCCI teamed up to reveal the brand identity of the 16 team tournament in Dubai with just twelve months to go to the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 in India. Sourav Ganguly termed that nothing beats the buzz created for a global sporting event with millions of fans witnessing the game. Sourav Ganguly himself has been part of the buzz as a player or captain.

“It is a matter of great honour for us to be hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. India has successfully staged several global events since the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 1987 and I am sure cricketers from around the world would be excited at the prospect of playing in our cricket-loving country,” said Sourav Ganguly in an official ICC release.

ICC T20 World Cup Originally Scheduled In Australia In 2020. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

“I have enjoyed being part of ICC events as a player and know from experience that nothing beats the buzzing atmosphere of a global cricket event with millions around the world watching every game. I now look forward to playing my part as an administrator as we prepare to host the prestigious event,” he added.

The brand identity is inspired by the colours of India and the intense passion that fans have for the game of cricket, besides being bright and full of energy and embodies the excitement that comes with the return of the ICC T20 World Cup amidst the unique fun and festive atmosphere of India, including the festival of lights – Diwali combining with the fast and fierce pace of world’s best T20 cricket.

Warm and vibrant, the brand identity aims to attract all fans, especially families and the young individuals welcoming everyone to share this special event. Functionally the design has been carefully constructed to come to life across all channels, especially for digital and motion graphics. Originally the event was supposed to be held in Australia in 2020 but was postponed due to coronavirus pandemic.

ICC Working Closely With BCCI And Will Focus On Staging Safe And Secure Event In Post Pandemic Era: ICC Chief Executive

The seventh edition of the Men’s T20 World Cup comes five years after the event was held in India in 2016. It will be the first global cricket event since the highly successful ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2020 which climaxed with a record 86,174 people in the stadiums to watch the Australia-India final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on International Women’s Day.

ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said: “With Diwali just two days away and with the countdown to the tournament in India underway, this is an opportune moment to unveil our brand identity that so wonderfully reflects the vibrant festival of lights.”

ICC T20 World Cup trophy (Image Credit: Twitter)

“We are working very closely with the BCCI to deliver a stellar tournament bringing the world’s best players together to go head to head in the first global cricket event since the advent of the pandemic. Our focus will be on staging a safe and secure event that fans from across the world can enjoy,” he added.

Sixteen teams from across the world will participate, including Papa New Guinea as the newest qualified nation. The teams who will participate in the tournament scheduled for October-November next year in 2021 are Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, Namibia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. 9 teams along with host India will join 6 teams who have qualified in 2019 T20I World Cup Qualifier.