Shashi Tharoor has said India has “brought this embarrassment upon ourselves” after Bangladesh asked the International Cricket Council to shift its matches at the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup out of India.
Bangladesh announced on Sunday that it had formally requested the ICC to relocate its fixtures, citing safety concerns for its players and officials. The Bangladesh Cricket Board also accused the Board of Control for Cricket in India of pursuing what it described as a communal policy.
Reacting on social media, Tharoor said the decision was “hardly surprising”, adding that India’s own actions had contributed to the situation. “Hardly surprising. We have brought this embarrassment upon ourselves,” the Congress MP wrote.
The row comes against the backdrop of deteriorating diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh, tensions that now appear to be spilling into cricket. Bangladesh officials have pointed to growing hostility in India, linked to anger over reported violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, as a factor in their reluctance to send the national team.
Bangladesh government adviser Asif Nazrul welcomed the BCB’s stance, saying: “Bangladesh will not go to India to play the World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken this decision today. We welcome this decision taken in the context of the violent communal policy of the Cricket Board of India.”
The controversy has also been fuelled by the recent release of Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders, a move that has drawn criticism in Bangladesh and added to perceptions of insecurity for Bangladeshi players in India.
The BCCI has rejected Bangladesh’s request for a venue change, describing it as logistically unworkable. Indian cricket officials have argued that shifting matches at this stage would disrupt scheduling and pose major operational challenges for the tournament, which is due to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Tharoor, however, has urged that cricket should be kept separate from wider political disputes. In earlier comments, he said: “Cricket should not be made to bear the burden for attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. We should try and insulate some areas from others.
“We are reaching out to Bangladesh and urging them to do the right thing to protect and look after their minorities, and this messaging must continue. Mustafizur Rahman is a cricketer and has nothing to do with any of these things.”
The ICC has yet to publicly respond to Bangladesh’s request, but the issue threatens to cast a shadow over preparations for one of the sport’s biggest global events.
