On July 27, 2025, cricket finance analysts published updated wealth rankings for global cricket boards. The findings confirmed what insiders already knew: the financial gap between cricket’s “Big 3” and the rest of the world had widened dramatically. The Board of Control for Cricket in India reported cash and bank balances of â‚ą20,686 crore ($2.25 billion), representing a â‚ą4,200 crore increase from the previous year. Cricket Australia earned â‚ą658 crore ($79 million), while the England and Wales Cricket Board generated â‚ą492 crore ($59 million). The combined revenue of CA, ECB, and the fourth-largest board (Pakistan Cricket Board at â‚ą458 crore) totaled just â‚ą1,608 crore, barely 7.8% of BCCI’s earnings.
The numbers told a definitive story. India, England, and Australia had cemented their control over the sport’s finances, governance, and competitive structure. The 2014 ICC constitution changes handed unprecedented power to these three boards, who now received half of ICC’s annual revenue distribution despite representing just 3 of 108 member nations. Former BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s unopposed election as ICC Chairman in August 2024 symbolized this dominance. At age 36, Shah became the youngest ICC Chairman in history and the third Indian to hold the position after N. Srinivasan and Shashank Manohar. His elevation meant India now controlled both the world’s richest cricket board and cricket’s global governing body.
On-field dominance matched financial power. Australia had won 10 ICC trophies across all formats, including six ODI World Cups. India claimed seven ICC trophies, including back-to-back titles at the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy. England won three ICC trophies between 2019 and 2022, claiming their first-ever ODI World Cup alongside two T20 World Cups. Together, the Big 3 had won 20 of the 37 major ICC tournaments contested since 1975, representing 54% of all global cricket silverware. The next seven cricket boards combined (West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, South Africa, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe) had won just 17 major trophies total.
Here’s how the Big 3 control world cricket.
BCCI’s Unmatched Financial Empire: $2.25 Billion and Growing
The Staggering Revenue Gap
The Board of Control for Cricket in India earned â‚ą20,686 crore ($2.25 billion) in financial year 2024. This represented a 25.4% increase from FY 2023’s â‚ą16,493 crore. The extraordinary growth stemmed primarily from the Indian Premier League’s media rights explosion and India’s bilateral series broadcasting deals.
The IPL alone contributed â‚ą5,761 crore ($692 million). This accounted for approximately 59% of BCCI’s non-ICC revenue streams. To understand the scale of BCCI’s dominance, one must examine how it dwarfs every other cricket board globally.
BCCI vs Other Major Cricket Boards (FY 2024):
- BCCI (India): â‚ą20,686 crore ($2.25 billion)
- Cricket Australia: â‚ą658 crore ($79 million)
- England and Wales Cricket Board: â‚ą492 crore ($59 million)
- Pakistan Cricket Board: â‚ą458 crore ($55 million)
- Bangladesh Cricket Board: â‚ą425 crore ($51 million)
Even combining Australia, England, Pakistan, and Bangladesh produces just â‚ą2,033 crore. This represents less than 10% of BCCI’s total wealth. The gap between first and second place ($2.17 billion) exceeds the combined revenue of the next 107 cricket boards worldwide.
BCCI’s revenue growth trajectory shows no signs of slowing. Between FY 2018 and FY 2024, the board’s cash reserves grew from â‚ą6,500 crore to â‚ą20,686 crore. This represented 218% growth in six years, far outpacing global cricket revenue growth of 4-6% annually.
Industry analysts project BCCI could surpass â‚ą25,000 crore ($3 billion) by FY 2026-27. This assumes current IPL broadcasting deals and bilateral series revenues continue growing at 15-20% annually. The Indian market generates this wealth through unmatched scale.
India’s Cricket Market Advantages:
- Population: 1.45 billion people
- Active cricket fans: 400-500 million estimated
- IPL 2024 viewership: 546 million on TV, 620 million on streaming (18% increase from 2023)
- Premium advertising rates during cricket matches
- Massive diaspora globally boosting international broadcasting rights
The IPL: Cricket’s $18.5 Billion Crown Jewel
The Indian Premier League’s 2023-2027 media rights deal sold for â‚ą48,390 crore ($6.2 billion) to Disney Star and Viacom18. This represents the second-most valuable sports broadcasting package globally on a per-match basis. Only the National Football League commands higher per-game media rights fees.
The IPL generates approximately â‚ą9,678 crore ($1.16 billion) annually from broadcasting alone. This is before accounting for sponsorships, ticket sales, and franchise fees. This single tournament produces more revenue in two months than most cricket boards earn in an entire year.
IPL Business Metrics (2025):
- Total business valuation: $18.5 billion
- Brand value: $3.9 billion (13.8% year-over-year growth)
- Individual franchise valuations: $800 million to $1.5 billion each
- Mumbai Indians valuation: $1.3 billion (highest)
- Chennai Super Kings valuation: $1.2 billion (second highest)
For comparison, Cricket Australia’s entire net worth is $79 million. This represents less than 6% of a single IPL franchise’s value. The financial chasm illustrates how India’s domestic T20 league surpasses the economic might of entire national cricket boards.
BCCI’s IPL strategy created a revenue model other boards attempted to replicate but couldn’t match. England launched The Hundred in 2021, selling 49% stakes in eight teams for ÂŁ520 million ($744 million). Cricket Australia explored Big Bash League privatization. Pakistan Super League grew from $5 million annual revenue (2016) to $50+ million (2024).
Yet none approached IPL’s scale. The IPL’s 2024 season alone generated estimated advertising revenue of $800 million. This eclipsed the PSL’s entire annual revenue multiple times over. The IPL’s dominance stems from India’s massive viewership and premium advertising rates that no other market can replicate.
Why IPL Dominates Global T20 Cricket:
- Indian market: 70-80% of cricket’s global viewership
- Broadcasting rights: $6.2 billion over 5 years (2023-2027)
- Player salaries: â‚ą27 crore for Rishabh Pant (2025, highest ever)
- Match attendance: Consistently sold-out stadiums at premium prices
- Sponsorship deals: Hundreds of millions annually from domestic and international brands
ICC Revenue Distribution: 50% to Three Nations
The 2024-2027 Distribution Model
In July 2023, the International Cricket Council approved a revenue distribution model that allocates approximately 50% of ICC’s $600 million annual net earnings to India, England, and Australia. These three nations represent just 3 of 108 ICC member countries.
ICC Annual Revenue Distribution (2024-2027):
- BCCI (India): $230 million (38.5%)
- ECB (England): $41.33 million (6.89%)
- Cricket Australia: $37.53 million (6.25%)
- Pakistan Cricket Board: $34.51 million (5.75%)
- Bangladesh Cricket Board: ~$24 million
- Remaining 8 Test nations: $20-28 million each
- 90+ Associate members: $67.5 million total (shared among all)
The combined $308.86 million awarded to the Big 3 exceeds what the remaining 105 cricket boards share collectively. This distribution reflects ICC’s commercial reality: India generates approximately 70-80% of global cricket revenue through broadcasting, sponsorships, and tournament earnings.
Disney Star paid $3 billion for Indian market rights to the 2024-2031 ICC tournaments. Rights for all other markets combined sold for $200 million. The 15-to-1 ratio means ICC depends almost entirely on Indian viewership to fund global cricket operations.
The Big 3’s combined 50% share was actually reduced from previous models. Under the controversial 2014 “Big Three” arrangement, India, England, and Australia initially received even more favorable terms. This prompted widespread criticism from smaller boards.
How the Distribution Model Evolved:
- Pre-2014: More equitable distribution across all full members
- 2014: Big 3 receive unprecedented share and governance control
- 2017: Slight reduction in Big 3’s collective share
- 2023: India’s individual percentage increased, ECB and CA slightly reduced
How India Generates 70-80% of Cricket’s Global Revenue
India’s contribution to cricket’s $3.84 billion global economy stems from multiple revenue streams that dwarf other markets. IPL broadcasting rights ($6.2 billion over 5 years), bilateral series broadcast deals ($400-500 million annually), ICC tournament broadcasting from the Indian market ($3 billion for 2024-2031), and sponsorships from Indian companies (â‚ą800+ crore annually) all flow predominantly through BCCI.
When Cricket Australia hosts India for a Test series, broadcasting rights for the Australian market might sell for $20-30 million. Broadcasting rights for the same series in India sell for $80-120 million. England experiences similar dynamics: an Ashes series generates $50-70 million in UK broadcasting fees, but an England-India series generates $100-150 million primarily from Indian broadcast markets.
India’s Viewership Dominance:
- 2023 ODI World Cup in India: 1.2 billion+ cumulative viewers (90% from India/Indian diaspora)
- 2015 World Cup in Australia/New Zealand: 800 million viewers
- 2019 World Cup in England: 600 million viewers
- India accounts for 85% of global cricket television viewership
This commercial reality explains why ICC accommodates India’s scheduling demands, security concerns, and venue preferences over other nations. When India refused to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, ICC created a hybrid model allowing India to play in Dubai. When smaller boards like Bangladesh face similar situations, ICC offers no such flexibility.
England and Australia: The Junior Partners in the Big 3
England and Wales Cricket Board: The Hundred and Traditional Strength
The England and Wales Cricket Board generated â‚ą492 crore ($59 million) in FY 2023-24. This positions it as cricket’s third-wealthiest board despite being dwarfed by BCCI. ECB’s revenue stems from diverse sources including The Hundred tournament, county cricket, international match broadcasting rights, and ICC revenue distribution.
The Hundred’s 2024 privatization saw ECB sell 49% stakes in eight teams for ÂŁ520 million ($744 million) to private investors. This generated substantial capital inflow that boosted the board’s financial position. The tournament targets younger audiences with a 100-ball format distinct from traditional T20 cricket.
The Hundred Tournament Overview:
- Launch year: 2021
- Format: 100-ball matches (shorter than T20)
- Teams: 8 city-based franchises
- Structure: Men’s and women’s competitions simultaneously
- Viewership: 2-3 million UK viewers per match
- Valuation: ÂŁ1.1 billion total (all eight teams combined)
While viewership numbers trail the IPL significantly (2-3 million UK viewers vs 500+ million IPL viewers), The Hundred generated sufficient commercial interest to attract private investment valuations of ÂŁ520 million for minority stakes. This suggests respectable commercial success, though still a fraction of IPL’s $18.5 billion valuation.
ECB’s traditional strength lies in Test cricket and historic rivalries. The Ashes series between England and Australia generates massive revenue through broadcasting rights, ticket sales, and sponsorships. However, ECB increasingly prioritizes India tours over Ashes matches for purely financial reasons.
ECB’s Financial Reality:
- ICC revenue share: $41.33 million annually (17.5% of total ECB revenue)
- The Hundred: Significant but smaller than IPL
- Bilateral series: India tours generate higher revenue than Ashes
- Dependency: Must balance ICC influence with avoiding BCCI conflicts
Cricket Australia: Big Bash League and Southern Hemisphere Stronghold
Cricket Australia earned â‚ą658 crore ($79 million / AUD $120 million) in FY 2023-24. This maintains its position as cricket’s second-wealthiest board. CA’s revenue streams include Big Bash League, broadcasting rights for international matches, ICC distribution ($37.53 million annually), ticket sales from packed Australian stadiums, and commercial partnerships.
The Big Bash League’s broadcasting deal with Fox Sports and Seven Network generated substantial revenue. Industry analysts estimate BBL broadcasting rights contribute $40-60 million annually to CA’s revenue. The league averaged 1.2 million viewers per match in peak seasons.
Big Bash League Key Facts:
- Broadcasting partners: Fox Sports and Seven Network
- Estimated broadcast revenue: $40-60 million annually
- Average viewership: 1.2 million per match
- Season: December through February
- Market advantage: Australia’s smaller but wealthier population (26 million with high per-capita income)
Cricket Australia explored BBL privatization similar to ECB’s Hundred strategy but faced complications. The BBL currently operates from December through February, complementing Australia’s international summer schedule. Privatization could create conflicts between franchise interests and national team priorities.
CA’s financial position benefits significantly from hosting India every 3-4 years. When India toured Australia for Test series in 2020-21 and 2024-25, broadcasting rights, ticket sales, and commercial partnerships generated over $200 million in additional revenue compared to tours by other nations.
India Tour Premium for Cricket Australia:
- Four-Test series vs India: 500,000+ in-stadium attendance
- Average ticket prices: $150-400 for good seats
- Four-Test series vs England/South Africa: 300,000 fans at lower prices
- Indian tourists travel to Australia specifically for cricket
- Economic multiplier: Hotels charge 50-100% premiums during India tours
On-Field Dominance: ICC Trophy Monopoly
Australia: 10 ICC Trophies and Unmatched Consistency
Australia stands alone as cricket’s most successful nation across ICC tournaments, having won 10 major trophies spanning all three formats. Their six ODI World Cup victories represent unprecedented dominance in cricket’s flagship tournament.
Australia’s ICC Trophy Cabinet:
- ODI World Cups: 6 titles (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, 2023)
- ICC Champions Trophy: 2 titles (2006, 2009)
- T20 World Cup: 1 title (2021)
- World Test Championship: 1 title (2023)
- Total: 10 major ICC trophies
The 1999-2007 era under captains Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting showcased Australia’s absolute dominance. They won three consecutive World Cups (1999, 2003, 2007), with the 2003 and 2007 campaigns completed undefeated. The 2003 team scored 359/2 in the final against India, then cricket’s highest successful World Cup run-chase defense.
Australia’s 2023 World Cup victory in India, defeating the hosts in the final after India’s unbeaten 10-match winning streak, exemplified their tournament expertise. Australia lost their opening two matches to India and South Africa, then won nine consecutive matches including knockouts. This resilience under pressure separates Australia from other nations.
Why Australia Dominates ICC Tournaments:
- Players compete in IPL, BBL, and various T20 leagues globally
- Battle-hardened squads capable of performing under pressure
- Experience in high-stakes knockout matches
- All-format strength (Test, ODI, T20)
- Combination of experienced veterans and dynamic young talent
India: 7 ICC Trophies and 2023-25 Dominance
India won seven ICC trophies including two ODI World Cups (1983, 2011), two T20 World Cups (2007, 2024), and three Champions Trophies (2002, 2013, 2025). The 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy victories, both achieved with undefeated campaigns under captain Rohit Sharma, represented India’s most dominant period.
India’s ICC Trophy Cabinet:
- ODI World Cups: 2 titles (1983, 2011)
- T20 World Cups: 2 titles (2007, 2024)
- Champions Trophy: 3 titles (2002 shared with Sri Lanka, 2013, 2025)
- Total: 7 major ICC trophies
Between 2023-25, India reached three consecutive ICC finals (2023 ODI World Cup, 2024 T20 World Cup, 2025 Champions Trophy). They won two and lost only the 2023 final to Australia. This consistency demonstrates India’s evolution into a dominant force across all formats.
India’s 1983 World Cup victory under Kapil Dev transformed Indian cricket. The underdog triumph, defeating two-time defending champions West Indies, sparked India’s cricket revolution. This led to massive infrastructure investment, grassroots development, and eventual establishment of BCCI as the sport’s financial powerhouse. The 2011 World Cup victory on home soil under MS Dhoni, with his iconic unbeaten 91 in the final against Sri Lanka, created generational fandom that propelled IPL’s commercial success to unprecedented heights.
India’s Recent Dominance Statistics:
- Rohit Sharma’s ICC tournament record as captain: 27 wins, 3 losses (90% win rate)
- 2024 T20 World Cup: Won all 9 matches including final vs South Africa
- 2025 Champions Trophy: Won all 5 matches including final vs Pakistan
- 2023 ODI World Cup: 10 consecutive wins before losing final to Australia
England: 3 ICC Trophies in Four Years
England won three ICC trophies between 2019 and 2022. The 2019 ODI World Cup ended England’s 44-year wait for a World Cup trophy despite being cricket’s birthplace. Ben Stokes’ unbeaten 84 in the final epitomized England’s aggressive approach.
England’s ICC Trophy Cabinet:
- ODI World Cup: 1 title (2019)
- T20 World Cup: 2 titles (2010, 2022)
- Total: 3 major ICC trophies
England’s 2019 World Cup campaign saw them score 300+ eight times in 12 matches. This set the template for aggressive batting that other nations attempted to replicate. The final against New Zealand at Lord’s, tied at 241 after 50 overs then tied again after the super over at 15 runs each, was decided by England hitting more boundaries.
The 2022 T20 World Cup victory in Australia showcased England’s all-format capabilities. The final against Pakistan saw Sam Curran take 3/12 to restrict Pakistan to 137, then Buttler and Alex Hales chasing it down comfortably. England’s ability to win ICC tournaments in different formats within three years demonstrated depth and adaptability.
England’s Tournament Success Factors:
- “Bazball” aggressive philosophy under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes
- White-ball transformation under Eoin Morgan (2015-2019)
- Deep player talent pool across formats
- Ability to adapt tactics based on conditions
- Strong county cricket system developing players
Governance Control: Jay Shah and the ICC Chairmanship
From BCCI Secretary to ICC Chairman
Jay Shah’s unopposed election as ICC Chairman in August 2024 (officially assuming office December 1, 2024) represented the culmination of India’s governance dominance over world cricket. At 36 years old, Shah became the youngest ICC Chairman in history and the third Indian to hold the position.
Jay Shah’s Cricket Leadership Journey:
- BCCI Secretary: 2019-2024
- Asian Cricket Council President: 2021-2024
- ICC Finance & Commercial Affairs Committee Chairman: 2023-2024
- ICC Chairman: December 1, 2024-present
- Age at ICC Chairmanship: 36 (youngest ever)
Shah’s tenure as BCCI Secretary achieved record-breaking commercial success. The 2022 IPL media rights deal ($6.2 billion over five years) made IPL the second-most valuable sports league globally on a per-match basis. The 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup hosted in India drew 1.2+ billion cumulative viewers.
His ICC Chairmanship marks the first time a sitting Big 3 board official directly controls ICC’s top governance position since the 2014 constitutional changes. Previous ICC Chairmen Greg Barclay (New Zealand) and Shashank Manohar (India, but after leaving BCCI) came from smaller boards or were no longer active in their home boards.
Shah’s Major BCCI Achievements:
- $6.2 billion IPL media rights deal (2023-2027)
- Women’s Premier League establishment (2023)
- BCCI Centre of Excellence inauguration in Bengaluru (2024)
- Test Cricket Incentive Schemes for Indian players
- 2023 ODI World Cup hosting (1.2+ billion viewers)
Shah’s stated priorities include Test cricket preservation, women’s cricket growth, cricket’s inclusion in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and global expansion to non-traditional markets. Critics note these priorities align closely with BCCI’s commercial interests.
The 2014 “Big Three” Constitutional Changes
The ICC’s 2014 constitutional changes formalized the Big 3’s power over world cricket governance. Previously, ICC operated on a one-nation-one-vote model where smaller boards held equal voting power to India, England, and Australia. The 2014 revisions created a tiered system.
What Changed in 2014:
- Big 3 received permanent positions on key ICC committees
- Veto power over major decisions
- Dramatically increased revenue shares reflecting commercial contributions
- India allocated 38.5% of ICC revenue
- England allocated 6.89% of ICC revenue
- Australia allocated 6.25% of ICC revenue
- Remaining boards share ~48% collectively
N. Srinivasan (BCCI), Giles Clarke (ECB), and Wally Edwards (Cricket Australia) architected these changes. They argued that boards generating most revenue deserved proportional control over cricket’s governance and financial distribution.
The Big 3 model faced immediate backlash. ICC’s then-president Mustafa Kamal (Bangladesh) publicly criticized the arrangement, calling it “unfair” and “destructive to cricket’s global growth.” South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and West Indies opposed the changes but lacked voting power to prevent adoption.
Impact on Smaller Cricket Boards:
- Associate nations faced devastating funding cuts
- Nepal, UAE, Afghanistan saw reduced ICC development funds
- 2017 partial rollback reduced Big 3’s collective share slightly
- India’s individual dominance maintained
- Power structures fundamentally unchanged
How the Big 3 Shape Cricket’s Global Calendar
The IPL Window: March-May Belongs to India
The Indian Premier League runs for approximately 2-2.5 months annually (typically March-May). Cricket boards worldwide structure their international calendars around this window to avoid clashing with IPL. The 2025 IPL season demonstrates how ICC tournaments adjust scheduling to accommodate India’s premier T20 league.
IPL 2025 Schedule:
- Original start date: March 14, 2025
- Revised start date: March 22, 2025 (due to Champions Trophy)
- End date: June 3, 2025 (revised from May 25 due to India-Pakistan tensions)
- Total matches: 74 matches across 10 teams
- Duration: Approximately 2.5 months
Cricket Australia schedules bilateral series to conclude before late March. England avoids hosting matches during April-May. Pakistan Super League shifted from February-March to April-May to avoid direct IPL competition and having the players unsold in the IPL. This global accommodation demonstrates IPL’s power over international cricket scheduling.
Why Cricket Boards Accommodate the IPL Window:
- Foreign players prioritize IPL contracts over international commitments
- IPL salaries dwarf national team payments
- Rishabh Pant: â‚ą27 crore ($3.2 million) for IPL 2025
- India Test match fee: â‚ą15 lakh ($18,000) per match
- England Test match fee: ÂŁ15,000 ($19,000) per match
Top IPL players earn more in 8 weeks than most international cricketers earn annually. This forces cricket boards to accommodate IPL scheduling or risk player unavailability. Cricket boards depend on Indian players participating in their domestic T20 leagues.
How Global Leagues Schedule Around IPL:
- Pakistan Super League: Shifted from Feb-March to April-May
- Big Bash League (Australia): Finishes by February
- Caribbean Premier League: Runs August-September
- South Africa SA20: Runs January-February
- England’s The Hundred: Runs August
- Bangladesh Premier League: Runs November-December
Bilateral Series: India Tours Dictate Revenue
Every cricket board structures its annual schedule around hosting India because Indian bilateral tours generate 2-5x more revenue than tours by any other nation. When Cricket South Africa hosts India for limited-overs series, each match generates approximately $8-10 million in broadcasting rights, ticket sales, and sponsorship activation.
When South Africa hosts Australia or England, comparable fixtures generate $3-5 million. This revenue gap makes Indian tours essential for cricket boards’ financial planning and annual budgets. England and Wales Cricket Board prioritizes India tours over traditional Ashes rivalry with Australia for purely commercial reasons.
Bilateral Series Revenue Comparison:
- South Africa hosting India: $8-10 million per match
- South Africa hosting Australia/England: $3-5 million per match
- England-India series: $100-150 million (primarily from Indian broadcasting)
- England-Australia Ashes: $50-70 million (UK broadcasting fees)
- India tour multiplier: 2-5x revenue increase vs other opponents
The 2025 England-India five-Test series generated higher broadcasting revenue than the 2023 Ashes despite the Ashes being cricket’s oldest and most famous rivalry. English broadcasters pay premium rates for India matches because UK-based Indian diaspora (1.5 million people) watches India fixtures at higher rates than England domestic matches.
Cricket Australia faces similar dynamics. The 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (Test series between India and Australia) drew 500,000+ in-stadium attendance with premium ticket prices. Comparable series against England or South Africa might draw 300,000 fans at lower average ticket prices.
Why India Tours Generate Massive Revenue:
- Ticket sales: India matches sell out within hours at premium prices
- Broadcasting rights: Indian viewership guarantees massive TV audiences globally
- Sponsorship: Brands pay premium rates for India match exposure
- Merchandise: Indian team jerseys outsell all others combined
- Tourism: Indian fans travel internationally to watch matches, spending on hotels and local economy
The Bottom Line
India, England, and Australia control world cricket through financial dominance, governance power, and on-field success that smaller boards cannot challenge. BCCI earned $2.25 billion in FY 2024, 28 times more than Cricket Australia ($79 million) and 38 times more than England ($59 million). The Big 3 receive 50% of ICC’s $600 million annual revenue despite representing just 3 of 108 member nations. The financial gap keeps widening as BCCI’s revenue grows 25% annually while other boards see single-digit growth.
IPL’s $18.5 billion valuation exceeds the combined net worth of every other cricket board globally. India generates 70-80% of cricket’s $3.84 billion economy through IPL broadcasting ($6.2 billion over five years), bilateral series rights ($400-500 million annually), and ICC tournament broadcasting from the Indian market ($3 billion for 2024-2031). Former BCCI secretary Jay Shah now serves as ICC Chairman at age 36, the youngest ever. India accounts for 85% of ICC’s global television revenues, giving BCCI effective veto power over ICC decisions.
Big 3 on-field and governance dominance:
- Australia: 10 ICC trophies (6 World Cups, 2 Champions Trophies, 1 T20 World Cup, 1 WTC)
- India: 7 ICC trophies (2 World Cups, 2 T20 World Cups, 3 Champions Trophies)
- England: 3 ICC trophies (1 World Cup, 2 T20 World Cups)
- Big 3 combined: 20 of 37 major ICC tournaments (54%) since 1975
- Jay Shah: Third Indian ICC Chairman after N. Srinivasan and Shashank Manohar
- 2014 ICC constitutional changes formalized Big 3 power with veto rights
The IPL window (March-May) forces every cricket board to schedule around India’s domestic league. Pakistan Super League shifted from February-March to April-May to avoid IPL competition. ICC moved the 2025 Champions Trophy final to March 9 to create space for IPL’s March 22 start. Top players like Rishabh Pant (â‚ą27 crore salary) earn more in 8 weeks of IPL than most international cricketers earn annually. Bilateral series with India generate 2-5x more revenue than tours by other nations.
Smaller cricket boards cannot challenge this dominance. Bangladesh’s postponed India tour cost BCB $18-28 million, representing 35-55% of their annual revenue. Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and West Indies depend on hosting India for financial survival. Even Cricket Australia and ECB rely heavily on Indian tours and ICC distributions funded primarily by Indian broadcasting revenue. Cricket’s $3.84 billion economy operates as an Indian-controlled enterprise with England and Australia as junior partners, while 105 other cricket boards compete for scraps.
