In the wake of recent controversies surrounding the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision-making, former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton have voiced their concerns regarding perceived preferential treatment towards India and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). These criticisms come amidst ongoing debates about the ICC's governance and its handling of sensitive issues involving member nations.

Hussain has been a vocal critic, suggesting a perception exists that the ICC arranges conditions favorably for India in major tournaments. This includes scheduling and advantageous playing conditions.

Atherton has focused on the economic and political implications of the ICC's strategies, particularly concerning India-Pakistan matches. He argues that the ICC deliberately schedules these high-voltage encounters to maximize revenue, potentially undermining the sport's integrity. Atherton has called for transparency in the ICC's fixture draws, suggesting that the current system exploits the India-Pakistan rivalry for commercial gain, turning it into a "proxy for broader tensions and propaganda". He argues that the ICC's actions prioritize economic needs over the sport's moral and cultural equilibrium.

The dropping of Bangladesh from the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup has further fueled the debate. The ICC's refusal to approve Bangladesh's request to relocate their matches from India due to security concerns has been met with accusations of bias and unequal treatment. This decision is contrasted with the ICC's accommodation of India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, where a hybrid model was approved to allow India to play its matches in Dubai. This perceived double standard has led to criticism from figures like Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who openly questioned the ICC's inconsistency.

The situation has raised concerns about the ICC's credibility and its ability to govern cricket fairly. Critics argue that powerful cricket boards like the BCCI are granted undue flexibility, while smaller nations face stricter consequences. Some fear that this could lead to a split in the cricketing world, with the emergence of a new international cricket council.

Adding to the complexity, the controversy surrounding Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman and the termination of his contract by an Indian club has further strained relations between Bangladesh and India. This incident has amplified concerns about India's political influence potentially reshaping global cricket.

While the BCCI has responded to some criticisms by stating that sponsors and broadcasters would not agree to schedules that exclude India-Pakistan matches, the calls for transparency and equal treatment continue to grow. As Nasser Hussain stated, a complete risk assessment should be done before awarding hosting rights to any country to ensure there are no security concerns for any participating country. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the ICC can address these concerns and restore confidence in its governance.