NEW DELHI – India may lose the 2021 Champions Trophy and the 2023 CricketWorld Cup over tax issues, ICC officials have hinted.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) suffered a revenue shortfall afterthe Indian government refused to exempt the 2016 World Twenty20 competitionheld in the country and there has not been any change in that stance,despite BCCI’s dogged persuasion since then.

Fearing a repeat loss, the ICC said in February it was exploringalternative venues for the Champions Trophy while the Indian board wouldcontinue negotiations.

BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary said the board was optimistic ofconvincing the government.

“The matter is not closed, please understand,” Chaudhary told reporters onthe sidelines of the quarterly ICC meetings in Kolkata.

“It is still under consideration. As you know, tax matters take long, evenassessments take long, very long. Don’t worry.”

According to the ICC, such exemptions are a “standard practice for majorsporting events around the world”. Chaudhary said BCCI officials, past andpresent, recognise that and have been relentlessly persuading it with thegovernment.

He added that the ICC threat to relocate the Champions Trophy might helpthe board’s efforts in the end.