Wisden Criticizes India's 'Orwellian' Political Control Over Global Cricket
The 2026 edition of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, regarded as cricket’s bible, has sharply criticized the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for exerting unhealthy and politicized dominance over the global game. Editor Lawrence Booth described the current governance as increasingly Orwellian, labeling the BCCI a sporting adjunct of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The critique highlights the leadership of ICC Chairman Jay Shah, son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, and points to specific incidents where politics intruded into sport. These include the 2025 Asia Cup, played amidst brief India-Pakistan hostilities, where players refused handshakes and Prime Minister Narendra Modi linked victory to military operations. Additionally, the article notes how geopolitical tensions led to Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman’s release from the IPL and Bangladesh’s subsequent withdrawal from the T20 World Cup. Wisden argues that Indian exceptionalism is blamed for consequences while ignoring the root cause: the deep politicization of cricket. The report underscores concerns that the sport is being used as a proxy for nationalistic and political agendas, compromising its integrity and governance.
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Wisden Criticizes India's 'Orwellian' Political Control Over Global Cricket
The 2026 edition of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, regarded as cricket’s bible, has sharply criticized the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for exerting unhealthy and politicized dominance over the global game. Editor Lawrence Booth described the current governance as increasingly Orwellian, labeling the BCCI a sporting adjunct of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The critique highlights the leadership of ICC Chairman Jay Shah, son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, and points to specific incidents where politics intruded into sport. These include the 2025 Asia Cup, played amidst brief India-Pakistan hostilities, where players refused handshakes and Prime Minister Narendra Modi linked victory to military operations. Additionally, the article notes how geopolitical tensions led to Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman’s release from the IPL and Bangladesh’s subsequent withdrawal from the T20 World Cup. Wisden argues that Indian exceptionalism is blamed for consequences while ignoring the root cause: the deep politicization of cricket. The report underscores concerns that the sport is being used as a proxy for nationalistic and political agendas, compromising its integrity and governance.
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