“WTC Final Should Be Held in Ahmedabad – It Can Host 1 Lakh Fans”: Ravi Shastri Bats for Change
New Delhi: Former India head coach and captain Ravi Shastri has suggested that the World Test Championship (WTC) Final should no longer be restricted to England, and has specifically pitched Ahmedabad as a future host. According to Shastri, India’s Narendra Modi Stadium — with a capacity of over 1,00,000 — would be ideal for such a marquee event.
This suggestion comes in the backdrop of a historical pattern: the first three ODI World Cup finals (1975, 1979, 1983) were all played at Lord’s, England. However, after India’s triumph in 1983 under Kapil Dev, voices from India demanded the tournament be taken beyond England. As a result, the 1987 Reliance World Cup was co-hosted by India and Pakistan — a turning point in the globalisation of cricket.
Similarly, the first three WTC finals-
2021: The Oval,
2023: Southampton,
2025: Lord’s,
— have all been held in England.
Shastri argues that it’s time for history to repeat itself — just like it did in 1987 — and shift the WTC final venue beyond England.
“No doubt, Lord’s is iconic and prestigious,” Shastri said.
“But it doesn’t have the capacity for 1,00,000 spectators. Ahmedabad does. If you want Test cricket to evolve, you need to bring these finals to places where fan engagement is massive.”
He also acknowledged Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Australia as another suitable venue, but emphasized Ahmedabad’s potential due to its sheer capacity and recent successful hosting record.
Why Ahmedabad?
World’s largest cricket stadium.
Proven record in hosting high-pressure matches.
Local fan base that fills stadiums even for neutral Tests.
However, the ICC has already decided to host the 2027 WTC Final again at Lord’s, citing England’s neutral venue status and consistent Test crowds. The BCCI reportedly tried to bid for the final, but ICC has leaned toward tradition and neutrality — for now.
Still, Shastri remains optimistic:
“Even if not 2027, future WTC finals must consider Ahmedabad. The energy, the scale, and the spectacle it offers are unmatched.”