Rajeev Shukla, Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), launched an attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), accusing them of misleading the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). According to Shukla, this influence led to Bangladesh’s decision to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 and refuse to travel to India.
In a video shared by ANI, Shukla—who is also a Rajya Sabha member from the Indian National Congress—stated that the BCCI wanted Bangladesh to tour India and had even offered them a comprehensive security guarantee. He added that the entire world, including the people of Bangladesh, is aware of how Pakistan exploited them historically, leading to the creation of a separate nation.
What did Rajeev Shukla say about Pakistan misleading Bangladesh?
“We wanted Bangladesh to play and we also assured full security, but since they have made this decision, it is very difficult to change the entire schedule at the last moment,” Shukla said, explaining Scotland’s entry into the World Cup. “This is why Scotland was brought in.”
Attacking Pakistan’s role in the standoff, Shukla added: “Pakistan is intervening in the matter without any reason and provoking Bangladesh… Everyone knows the brutality done by Pakistan on the Bangladeshis, and now they are trying to mislead them, which is completely wrong.”
What does Shukla’s and BCCI’s stance signify for the T20 World Cup 2026?
The BCCI, according to Shukla’s latest comments, remains unfazed by the Bangladesh pull-out, as the move will cost the BCB significantly more than the BCCI. The Bangladesh Cricket Board is set to lose nearly $27 million when factoring in prize money, participation fees, and the loss of ICC grants.
Furthermore, the loss of television rights and sponsorship revenue from India’s potential cancellation of bilateral tours to the nation—which were scheduled for August 2026 and which now seem certain—will further cripple the BCB’s finances.