BCCI to celebrate 500th Test, but ICC not invited

India will be playing their 500th Test when they take on New Zealand in Kanpur in the first game of a three-match series from September 22, and top officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are eager to celebrate the significant milestone in a grand way.

All the top officials of the Board will be present during these celebrations. TOI though, has learnt that none from the International Cricket Council (ICC), including its chairman Shashank Manohar who has been the BCCI president on two occasions, or CEO Dave Richardson are likely to be sent an invite for the occasion. The Board's relations with the governing body of the game, and its boss, have been strained due to a number of issues right now.

The show is being organised by Rajeev Shukla, chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) and the IPL chairman, with the BCCI being the 'facilitator.' Shukla had a discussion with Board president Anurag Thakur and general manager (cricket operations) MV Sridhar, about this.