The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering a marquee India vs Rest of the World match as part of its centenary celebrations, which are set to run for a year across cricket centres throughout the country, according to an exclusive report by ABP’s Sumit Ghosh.
Exclusive ABP report on AGM. #BCCI planning to organise India vs Rest of the World match to celebrate centenary, which comes in December 2028. But celebration to run for 1 year in all centres. #AjitAgarkar unlikely to get extension, BCCi looking for new chairman. #JndianCricket pic.twitter.com/vXj3wRqAkI
— Sumit Ghosh (@SumitG71) September 19, 2026
The proposal was discussed as the BCCI mapped out plans around its 100th anniversary at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai. The Board was established in December 1928 and is preparing a programme of events beginning in December 2027 and continuing through December 2028.
India vs Rest of the World match could headline celebrations
The proposed fixture is still at an early planning stage, with its timing and format yet to be determined. A centenary committee is expected to be formed to develop the programme and decide how the India vs Rest of the World match could fit within the wider celebrations.
One of the questions still to be resolved is whether the fixture should be played as a Test, ODI or T20, with the possibility of using more than one format also among the ideas under consideration.
The BCCI has time to develop the concept ahead of its centenary, with approximately two years remaining to establish the detailed schedule. The wider plan is expected to take the celebrations beyond a single event, with activities staged at cricket centres around India during the year-long programme.
Proposed fixture would revive a longstanding cricket concept
A Rest of the World side has historically brought leading players from different countries together for special matches and series, although such fixtures have become far less common amid an increasingly congested international calendar.
Among the notable examples was the Rest of the World XI’s series against Australia, during which Garry Sobers made 254. Sunil Gavaskar later scored an unbeaten 188 for a Rest of the World XI against MCC during the club’s bicentenary match at Lord’s.
More recently, an ICC World XI played three T20Is against Pakistan in Lahore in 2017. Its latest international appearance came against the West Indies at Lord’s in May 2018 in a charity T20I staged to raise funds for cricket facilities in the Caribbean damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
India, however, has not previously played an official international match against an ICC World XI.
Centenary programme set to span multiple events
The BCCI has formally initiated preparations for its centenary celebrations, with the proposed Rest of the World fixture forming part of a broader programme rather than serving as the sole event.
Speaking to reporters after the BCCI’s 95th Annual General Meeting, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said: “We have also discussed about engaging and activating our state associations to give support to physically-challenged cricketers. The BCCI will complete 100 years in December 2027, so we will do centenary celebrations from December 2027 for one year.”
The centenary period will follow another milestone for Indian cricket, with the IPL reaching its 20th edition in 2027 and plans also being made to mark that anniversary.
Scheduling will be one of the considerations as the BCCI develops the proposed match. The 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand is scheduled from October 21 to November 19, while India is also expected to tour Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in December 2028.
With the centenary committee still to determine the fixture’s timing and format, the India vs Rest of the World proposal remains at the planning stage as the BCCI develops its year-long programme leading into its 100th anniversary.
