'The BCCI has to answer' - Anurag Thakur on India's participation in upcoming Asian Games

Union Sports Minister and former BCCI President Anurag Thakur has called on the Indian board to answer regarding the participation of the men's and women's cricket teams in the forthcoming Asian Games.

The upcoming edition of the Asian Games will take place in Hangzhou, China, between September 10-25, with cricket set to make a return to the event in a T20 avatar for the first time since 2014.

The Indian board did not send the men and women's team for the 2010 and 2014 edition and eight years on, things haven't changed a bit.

With the men and women team engaged in prior commitments, the 2022 edition is once again likely to remain bereft of their presence.

Earlier this year, BCCI secretary Jay Shah had said that a final decision regarding the participation of Indian men and women cricketers will be taken at a later date. 

"As far as the Asian Games in Hangzhou is concerned, a final decision on whether to send men's and women's teams will be taken later and based on our existing commitments.

“The BCCI has always stood by member boards and helped them in these difficult times. The board firmly believes in honouring its bilateral commitments," Jay Shah had told PTI.

Thakur was asked about the same recently and he dodged the bullet by putting the ball firmly in BCCI's court, stating that "BCCI has to answer".

Thakur also termed the non-participation of the Shooting team as a 'big blow' to the Indian medal tally.

"Last time we had 16 medals (at the 2018 Commonwealth Games). This (dropping from the 2022 event) is a blow to Indian medal numbers at Commonwealth Games. These things are discussed at CWG meeting. IOA has to tell under what circumstances this decision was take. Nonetheless, 215 athletes will be participating," Thakur said.

That said, the Indian women's team will participate in the Commonwealth Games,  which are set to take place in Birmingham later this month.