New Delhi, Sep 2026 : The selection of Vadodara as one of the two venues for the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027 is a “well-deserved” recognition of the city’s growing reputation for hosting high-profile domestic and international cricket, Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) CEO Snehal Parikh said on Thursday.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently named the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium and Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium as co-hosts of the six-team tournament, which is scheduled to be held from February 14 to 28 next year.
Reacting to the announcement, Parikh said Vadodara could consider itself fortunate to have been selected, but added that the decision was also justified by the venue’s consistent record of hosting major cricketing events and receiving positive feedback from players, officials and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“We can say that we are lucky. But we can always say it’s well deserved because we've been hosting so many matches and tournaments. The response has been good, and people have appreciated it. The BCCI has appreciated it as well,” Parikh said.
He added that several senior officials and prominent cricketers had praised the stadium’s facilities, playing surface and outfield. Among those who have appreciated the venue are former India great Sachin Tendulkar and former West Indies captain Brian Lara, as well as players associated with the International Masters League.
The tournament was shifted to India following a global assessment by the ICC after Sri Lanka was stripped of its hosting rights amid concerns over government interference in the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket. India, Bangladesh and South Africa were subsequently considered as alternative hosts.
The competition will feature the six highest-ranked women’s T20I teams as of July 6 — Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka.
Located around 30 kilometres from Vadodara near the Harod-Halol-Vadodara highway, the stadium, also known as Kotambi International Stadium, has rapidly emerged as an important cricketing venue.
It hosted its first international fixture during the India-West Indies women’s ODI series in December 2024, before staging a men’s ODI between India and New Zealand in January this year.
With a seating capacity of around 35,000, the venue has also established itself as a major centre for women’s cricket. It hosted six matches during the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) and 11 matches in the 2026 edition earlier this year.
The stadium is scheduled to host a three-match women’s ODI series between India and Zimbabwe on October 23, 25 and 28. It will also stage India Women’s Under-19 T20 matches against England Women’s Under-19 side on November 26 and 28.
With the Champions Trophy now added to its calendar, Vadodara is set to gain further prominence on the international women’s cricket circuit.
