T20 World Cup 2026: Will ICC change venue from India? Harbhajan Singh's stark opinion on Bangladesh's request

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh shared his thoughts on the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) formal request to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift their matches in the upcoming men's ICC T20 World Cup 2026 from India to alternative venues over safety and security concerns.Harbhajan Singh on BCB's reluctance to send team to IndiaHarbhajan stated that India will be happy to welcome every team for the T20 World Cup, but the decision lies with the BCB on whether they want to participate on Indian soil. The board cited growing concerns about the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent as the reason for not travelling to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, set to be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka.Singh also highlighted the ICC's role, as ultimately it will be up to the cricketing body to accept or reject BCB's request."Due to the various events that have taken place in the past few days, Bangladesh does not want to come to India. Whatever happened in Bangladesh is wrong. ICC needs to decide on their request. We welcome everyone to India, but whether they want to come here or not is their choice." Harbhajan told ANI.Cause behind Bangladesh's requestThe entire episode has transpired following the removal of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rehman from the Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL 2026 squad. Soon after KKR's decision, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia issued a statement revealing that the apex cricket board had instructed the IPL outfit to release the Bangladeshi pacer."Due to the recent developments which is going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchise KKR to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their squad, and BCCI has also said that if they ask for any replacement, BCCI is going to allow that replacement," Devaijit Saikia had told ANI.KKR roped in Rehman in the IPL 2026 mini auction held in December 2025. The three-time IPL champions splurged a whopping sum of Rs. 9.20 crores on the bowler, making him the most expensive Bangladesh player in the history of the league.While the BCCI did not convey a concrete reason behind the instruction given to the IPL franchise, it is widely believed that the BCCI passed the directive keeping in view the recent civil unrest in Bangladesh, where atrocities were committed against minorities.Mustafizur's release from IPL 2026 seemingly prompted the Bangladesh government to impose an indefinite ban on the telecast of IPL in the country.With ANI inputs