MCA happy to host Zimbabwe fixture, says all matches equal to it

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has taken in its stride the disappointment of not being allotted a Test match in the upcoming home international season. 'We follow whatever our parent body directs us. Whatever SOPs are laid down, we ensure they are implemented,' MCA president Ajinkya Naik said on Thursday.

"West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Australia will play 22 matches across 17 cities between September 2026 and March 2027. However, only one international fixture has been allotted to the Wankhede, widely regarded as an iconic venue in world cricket. The stadium will host an ODI against Zimbabwe on January 9, 2027.

"For us, all matches are important - whether it is a Ranji Trophy game, an international fixture, an Indian Premier League match or even a club game. All matches are the same for us," Ajinkya Naik said. The MCA president was speaking to the media on the sidelines of a felicitation function at Khar Gymkhana, which honoured the MCA official on being named the best state unit in the Board of Control for Cricket in India for the third consecutive year.

"We are happy that cricket is happening in Mumbai, and we will continue to work for the betterment of the game. That's it," Naik further said.

None of the five Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been allotted to the Wankhede, but Naik refused to fault the BCCI or its allocation process. "I can speak for the MCA. Whatever decisions we need to take as an Apex Council, we take them at the MCA. As for the BCCI, you will have to ask the office-bearers - I can't answer that," he said.

For the record, Wankhede was allotted eight matches, including one semifinal, of the recent T20 World Cup.