The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) can take over accommodation and other logistics for the Indian cricket teams at the Asian Games 2026 if it chooses. This is according to the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) clarification on not asking for separate accommodation for India's men's and women's cricket teams at the Asian Games.

The IOA said that if the BCCI does not find the hotels designated for its players satisfactory and decides to book other private hotels instead, it will have to arrange the teams' accommodation, catering, conveyance, and travel itself.

BCCI to Assess Hotels Before Taking Final Call

IOA CEO Raghuram Iyer said the BCCI is free to check the facilities before finalizing the decision to stay in the official accommodation. However, any other arrangements would have to be made directly between the BCCI and the Asian Games Organizing Committee.

“BCCI CEO Hemang Amin got in touch with us (IOA), and we had a frank discussion. They are thinking of sending an advance team to Japan to check the facilities. The IOA has no problem with that. Based on their report, they can take a call on whether they want to utilize the organisers' facilities or make other arrangements,” Mr Iyer said in the TOI.

“It is for the BCCI and the organizers to sort out. All sports, athletes, and officials are treated equally by IOA,” he added.

The facilities in Japan for the Asian Games are a matter of concern for the moment, as the number of athletes and officials is swelling. The figure has touched 17,000, against an earlier projection of 15,000, necessitating exploration of other options, including temporary accommodation and the Costa Serena cruise.

“As per the TOI report, the Indian men's team has been allotted the three-star APA Hotel Nagoya Ekimae, while the women's team will stay in the four-star Meitetsu Grand Hotel. Both are standard, but lower than the five-star hotels to which Indian cricketers are accustomed to,” said Mr. Iyer.

“Besides, there is an option of sharing these twin-sharing arrangements. The BCCI will consider the details of cricket training, venue, and other factors before taking any final decision,” he added.

A BCCI advance team is expected to go to Japan next week to inspect the hotels, cricket stadium, and other facilities. Their report will help finalize whether the teams will utilize the official Asian Games accommodation or go for private arrangements.

The Difference in Schedules Complicates Matters Further

“The Indian women's team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, is likely to reach Japan first. They have returned from the Asia Cup in Dubai on September 13 and will travel to Nagoya on September 14. They will play their first Asian Games match on September 18 in the quarterfinal and finish on September 22.

The men's team, led by Shreyas Iyer, will depart for Japan on September 21, with their first Asian Games match on September 28 in the quarterfinal, and they are expected to return on October 4. Hence, the two teams will have separate requirements regarding accommodation and travel arrangements.

If the BCCI decides to go for private arrangements, the details will have to be shared with the Asian Games Organizing Committee through the IOA. Even if they decide to stay elsewhere, the players will have to follow the accreditation process and security guidelines. The accreditation and access control system will be in place at the hotels where players will stay, and the accreditation process would be followed for their entry. Furthermore, they will be subjected to the anti-doping rules and regulations, and the World Anti-Doping Agency and International Testing Authority would have to be informed about their whereabouts for surprise testing,” said Mr. Iyer.

The IOA CEO supported the decision of the BCCI to check the arrangements before finalizing the deal to stay in the official Asian Games accommodation.

“The BCCI looks after the interests of the players, so sending an advance team to inspect the facilities is the right decision. We are for the players' well-being; our focus is to ensure that they have a comfortable stay and an enjoyable experience in Japan,” said Mr. Iyer.

The logistical issues in Japan were also a reminder of the value of planning ahead of time as cricket looks to make its return to the Olympic Games, and specifically the Los Angeles 2028.

Iyer was recently part of a joint IOA-Sports Authority of India delegation that spent almost a week in Los Angeles, where the officials interacted with stakeholders and sports facilities.

“The objective is to ensure the athletes can focus only on their performance and do not face any logistical issues. We are thinking well in advance about their welfare, comfort and acclimatisation and this is something which is happening for the first time,” Iyer told TOI.

Cricket's venue for LA28 – Knight Riders Cricket Ground at the Fairplex complex in Pomona – is conveniently located next to the Sheraton Fairplex Suites & Conference Center where the participating cricket teams are expected to stay and where the matches will also be played. The Major League Cricket matches are also expected to serve as a test run for the venue and its playing surface.

Before the Asian Games campaign begins, India and Japan are set to square off in a men's T20I on September 22 as part of the Suzuki Cup. The match will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations while giving India valuable prep ahead of its Asian Games campaign.