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Mumbai Cricket Chief: Happy Cricket Continues Despite Missing Key Test

Mumbai Cricket Association President Ajinkya Naik expressed contentment with cricket being played in the city despite Wankhede Stadium not being allocated a 2027 India-Australia Test. He emphasized that all matches, from club games to internationals, are equally important to the MCA. Naik stated the association follows all BCCI directives and SOPs, deflecting questions about marquee fixture allocations to the parent body. He credited collective effort and past contributors for Mumbai cricket's recent success and awards.

Key Points: MCA President on Mumbai's Cricket Future and BCCI Decisions

  • Mumbai misses 2027 Border-Gavaskar Test
  • MCA focuses on all cricket formats
  • Credits teamwork for association's success
  • Follows BCCI directives
  • Hosts India-Zimbabwe ODI in 2027
2 min read

Happy that cricket is happening in Mumbai, will work for betterment, says MCA President Naik

MCA President Ajinkya Naik addresses Mumbai not hosting a 2027 India-Australia Test, emphasizing commitment to all cricket and teamwork.

"We are happy that cricket is happening in Mumbai. So we will work for the betterment of the game, and that's it. - Ajinkya Naik"

Mumbai, March 26

Mumbai Cricket Association President Ajinkya Naik said the organisation was content to host matches in the city despite Wankhede Stadium not being allocated an India-Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in 2027.

The BCCI had earlier announced that Nagpur, Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi and Ahmedabad will host the five Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2027. It meant that Mumbai's wait to host an India-Australia Test after 2004 continues.

"All matches are important - whether it is a Ranji Trophy game, an international game, an IPL game or a club game, all matches are the same for us. We are happy that cricket is happening in Mumbai. So we will work for the betterment of the game, and that's it."

"So whatever our parent association gives us, we make sure that we follow whatever the SOPs are there and we implement that. Whatever they instruct us, we make sure that we implement it," Naik told reporters on the sidelines of a felicitation event of MCA at the Khar Gymkhana on Thursday.

Mumbai will get to host the third India-Zimbabwe men's ODI on January 9, 2027 and asked specifically about not getting a marquee Test, Naik said decisions like that are outside his remit.

"I can speak on MCA. Whatever decision we have to take as the Apex Council, we make sure we do it in MCA. Related to BCCI, you have to ask the BCCI office where an Apex Council member is. I can't answer that.

Reflecting on the overall progress of Mumbai's teams across all formats and genders, as it got the best association award for the third straight year in the recent BCCI awards, Naik credited collective effort.

"Whatever I did was just because of all the members present here at the club, including the secretary. Success is not of one person; it is always teamwork, and all here present are the main contributors to the success of MCA, Dilip sir and Diana madam. They all started the journey a few years back, and now all the youngsters are playing for Mumbai."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Respect to the MCA President for his humble and team-first approach. "Success is not of one person" – such an important message in our cricket-crazy country where we often focus only on star players. The work at the grassroots and club level is what builds champions.
R
Rohit P
Seriously BCCI? No Test for Mumbai? It's the financial capital and has one of the best cricket cultures in the world. Feels like politics in scheduling. Guwahati and Ranchi getting Tests is great for spreading the game, but you can't ignore the historic venues.
S
Sarah B
As someone who recently moved to Mumbai, I love the cricket energy here. It's everywhere! Even if it's not the big Australia Test, an India-Zimbabwe ODI will be fantastic to watch live. The focus should be on fans getting to see cricket, which is happening.
V
Vikram M
Good to see the MCA getting recognition with the best association award. Mumbai cricket has given us so many legends – Sachin, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar sir. The system works. If the president says they'll work for betterment, I believe him. Wankhede will get its due eventually.
K
Karthik V
While I appreciate the positive outlook, this feels like a very diplomatic and safe answer. As President, shouldn't he be advocating more strongly for Mumbai's cricket fans? We deserve a marquee Test match. "Whatever our parent association gives us" sounds a bit passive. Just my respectful criticism.

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