‘We are delighted’: MCA president Ajinkya reacts to missed BGT test

MUMBAI: The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is not upset over the lack of Test match qualification during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy early next year. Thursday, BCCI It was announced that Nagpur, Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi and Ahmedabad will host the high-profile five-match Test series between India and Australia in January-February next year. MCA will host the third ODI between India and Zimbabwe on January 9.“Throughout the whole day, everyone has been calling me about not playing the Test match. To be honest, we are very happy with everything the BCCI has given us. We will host the ODIs in Zimbabwe brilliantly,” MCA president Ajinkya Naik said at a celebration organized by Khar Gymkhana. MCA has won the BCCI’s ‘Best Association’ award for the third consecutive year.Later, addressing reporters at Thursday’s event, Naik reiterated that the MCA had accepted the BCCI’s decision in good spirit. “All games are important, whether ranji trophy Tournament, international match, IPL or club match. All games are the same for us,” he said.When asked if he was disappointed with the match allocation in Mumbai, Naik said: “We are happy that cricket is being played in Mumbai and we will continue to work hard to improve the game. Whatever our parents association gives us, we will ensure that it is followed. We are following all the SOPs strictly.”When asked if the Wankhede Stadium was not allocated for the India-Australia Test due to hosting as many as eight matches during the 2026 T20 World Cup, Naik said: “Whatever the BCCI instructs us, we will ensure that it is implemented.”When asked whether mega Test series like India-Australia or India-England should be restricted to four or five major centers (similar to England and Australia), Naik said: “I can only speak on behalf of MCA. Any decision we take is taken through our Apex Council. If it comes to BCCI, you have to ask BCCI. I can’t comment on that.”