NewKerala.com

Atul Wassan: Bangladesh Should Use Hindu Captain as Olive Branch in T20 WC

Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has suggested the Bangladesh Cricket Board use Litton Das's captaincy as a Hindu player to ease bilateral tensions rather than seek to move their T20 World Cup 2026 matches out of India. He called the relocation request a "logistical nightmare" for the ICC and asserted India has adequate security. The ICC has confirmed the tournament will proceed as scheduled with Bangladesh's matches in India. BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul, however, maintains the board's stance not to play its World Cup matches in India.

Key Points: Wassan on Bangladesh T20 WC Row: Use Hindu Captain as Olive Branch

  • Wassan says moving matches is a logistical nightmare
  • Stresses India has foolproof security
  • Suggests using Hindu captaincy to ease tensions
  • ICC confirms T20 WC 2026 in India as scheduled
3 min read

"Your captain is a Hindu": Atul Wassan suggests Bangladesh use Litton Das in T20 WC 2026 as an olive branch

Ex-India cricketer Atul Wassan says Bangladesh should use Litton Das's captaincy to ease tensions, not move T20 WC matches from India.

"Your captain is a Hindu, and I think Bangladesh should use the tournament as an olive branch. - Atul Wassan"

Gurugram, January 22

Former India cricketer Atul Wassan said the Bangladesh Cricket Board should use Litton Das's captaincy as an opportunity to ease tensions between India and Bangladesh rather than requesting their matches be moved out of India.

Speaking to ANI, Wassan said that Bangladesh should leverage the fact that their captain is a Hindu as a way to help ease the ongoing tensions between India and Bangladesh. He also said that relocating games so close to the T20 World Cup 2026 would create logistical issues for the ICC, stressed that India has adequate security arrangements and suggested Bangladesh treat the tournament as an olive branch to reduce tensions.

"It is a logistical nightmare for the ICC. The preparations for the T20 WC have been going on for so long, and it is not possible to do so with the tournament so close now. I don't think there will be any security issues in India. We have foolproof security and safety measures in place here. And your captain is a Hindu, and I think Bangladesh should use the tournament as an olive branch and assuage the ongoing tensions," Atul Wassan told ANI on Thursday.

ICC on Wednesday confirmed the T20 World Cup 2026 will proceed as scheduled, with Bangladesh's matches to be played in India. The decision was taken following an ICC Board meeting on Wednesday via video conference, which was convened to discuss the way forward after the BCB had asked that its matches be moved out of India to Sri Lanka.

Wassan also said the BCB's concerns do not align with the ICC's stance, adding that it is unrealistic to expect match relocations at short notice and that the ICC would have made it clear to the BCB to either adhere to the existing plans or be out of the T20 World Cup 2026.

"I don't think BCB's concerns align with the ICC. It is impossible for ICC to cater to the whims and fancies of any team like this. You can not just wake up one day and write a letter asking for your matches to be shifted. Things don't move in this manner. The ICC must have told them to either get in line or get out, and I think the BCB knows it," he said while speaking to ANI.

The BCB President, Aminul Islam Bulbul, confirmed on Thursday that the BCB stands firm on its decision not to play its ICC Men's World Cup matches in India, after the ICC rejected its request to shift Bangladesh's World Cup fixtures outside India.

The T20 World Cup is set to kick off on February 7, with India and Sri Lanka to co-host the marquee T20 event.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
He's right about the logistical nightmare. The World Cup is months away, not years! Changing venues now would be chaos. India has hosted massive events safely before. BCB should trust the process and let the players focus on cricket.
A
Aman W
As an Indian cricket fan, I just want to see good matches. This back-and-forth is distracting. Litton Das is a fine cricketer, captain or not. Let's keep politics out of sports and enjoy the tournament. Hoping for a peaceful and exciting World Cup! 🏏
P
Priyanka N
Wassan's comment about "your captain is a Hindu" feels a bit odd. It's 2026, we should be beyond such identity politics in sport. The olive branch should be mutual respect between boards, not hinged on a player's personal faith. That said, India's security is top-class.
K
Karthik V
Practical advice from Wassan. ICC can't change plans for one board last minute. BCB's stance seems more for domestic audience. Hope they reconsider for the sake of their players and fans. A India-Bangladesh match in India would be a fantastic atmosphere!
M
Michael C
Watching from the US. This is a classic case of sports diplomacy. Wassan is suggesting using the platform to ease tensions, which is smart. But the execution of the message (highlighting religion) could have been better. The logistical argument is the strongest one here.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50