Virat Kohli gets involved in ICC vs Bangladesh T20 World Cup controversy

The International Cricket Council (ICC), chaired by Jay Shah, has made a bold call to remove Bangladesh from the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 to shock the entire cricket world.

However, Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma publicly backed the move.

ICC drops Bangladesh from T20 World Cup 2026, drafts Scotland after security standoff

After Bangladesh refused to play their T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India due to security concerns despite repeated assurances, the ICC drafted Scotland into Group C on January 24. This controversy started after the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad on the BCCI’s order.

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The BCCI made that call after reports of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh were in the news, which led the board to face heat from the fans and the politicians. Soon after this, Bangladesh banned IPL 2026 in the country, and then the BCB formally requested the ICC for their T20 World Cup 2026 matches to be shifted to Sri Lanka from India, citing safety concerns.

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However, after checking everything in detail, the ICC found no real security threat and finally decided to go ahead without Bangladesh after they refused to play T20 World Cup in India. Reacting to the row, Rajkumar Sharma backed the ICC’s decision and slammed Bangladesh for their stubbornness.

Virat Kohli’s childhood coach backs ICC, blames Bangladesh for refusing to cooperate

Virat Kohli’s childhood coach pointed out that Bangladesh was informed many times that there were no security problems in India, and everyone knows India regularly hosts big events without any safety issues, so the ICC was left with no option but to take a strong call.

Rajkumar Sharma was quoted as saying by ANI: “When Bangladesh was told that there were no security problems here, and everyone knows that there are no security problems in India, which was the reason they gave, then the ICC also gave them a warning. The ICC gave them time. But when they didn't agree, then the ICC had to take this decision, and I think it's absolutely the right decision. If you are not listening to your parent body, then I would say this is absolutely the right decision by the ICC.”

ICC explains Bangladesh's T20 World Cup exit decision

According to the official media release, the ICC carried out a long and detailed consultation process that lasted more than three weeks. During this time, several meetings were held with the BCB, both online and in person. The governing body also took independent security reports from internal and external experts.

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They shared full security and operational plans with Bangladesh, including arrangements made by central and state authorities and additional safety steps planned for the T20 World Cup. The ICC repeated assurances many times, even during meetings involving the ICC Business Corporation Board.

After reviewing all the information, the global body concluded that there was no proven or credible threat to Bangladesh players, officials, or fans in India. The ICC made it clear that accepting Bangladesh’s demand without solid reasons could harm the fairness of future tournaments and set a wrong example.

Then, the BCB didn’t convey their decision to the ICC within the deadline, forcing them to invite Scotland to replace Bangladesh at the T20 World Cup.