Senior sports journalist and author Sharada Ugra has alleged that the International Cricket Council (ICC) operates under the influence of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Speaking on The Wire’s program ‘The Interview,’ she claimed that the ICC has effectively become BCCI’s Dubai office, following its directives without question. Her remarks come amid escalating tensions involving Bangladesh, India, and the ICC ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, as Bangladesh’s request to shift match venues over security concerns was rejected.

The controversy began when Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman was reportedly dropped from the Indian Premier League under what Ugra described as “unwritten, unofficial instructions.” She argued that the move was politically motivated, linked to strained India-Bangladesh relations and upcoming elections in Assam and West Bengal. Ugra criticized the ICC’s refusal to relocate Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka, calling it double standards compared to the hybrid model allowed for India-Pakistan fixtures.

According to Ugra, India’s dominance has undermined the credibility of the World Cup and turned cricket into a political tool. She warned that ICC’s perceived bias could damage its global reputation and raise governance questions as cricket seeks inclusion in the Olympics.