(PTI Photo)
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has criticized the scheduling of the 2024 T20 World Cup, particularly how it appears tailored to favor the Indian cricket team.
He pointed out that all of India’s matches were scheduled for morning slots at 10:30 AM local time, which would correspond to an evening start at 8 PM IST, suitable for viewership in India. Vaughan expressed his frustration on social media, hinting dissatisfaction towards India and the International Cricket Council (ICC) indirectly, following the first semi-final between South Africa and Afghanistan in Trinidad.
“Surely this Semi should have been the Guyana one… but because the whole event is geared towards India it’s so unfair on others… #T20IWorldCup,” he wrote.
Sourav Ganguly responded to Vaughan, questioning the efficacy of evening match timings in contributing to India’s victories.
“India thoroughly deserve to be in the final… The best team in tournament so far… Was always going to hard for England on this pitch… India just so much better on lower slower spinning pitches .. #T20IWorldCup,” he wrote.
Sourav Ganguly has retaliated against Vaughan, expressing skepticism about how the evening match schedule contributes to India’s success in winning matches.
“Michael Vaughan is a very dear friend of mine. I don’t know how ICC helps India win cricket matches by keeping the broadcast at 8 pm IST in the evening. I don’t know how broadcasting wins you cricket matches. You still have to play in the middle and win,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
“Secondly, I don’t know why Guyana is thought to be a venue for winning when they have gone around and won everywhere,” he added.
The BCCI stands as the wealthiest cricket board globally, driven primarily by the Indian market, which serves as the largest revenue generator for the ICC. Ganguly attributes this achievement to their team’s unwavering success on the field.
“Yes, India are a dominant force in world cricket, by its performance, by its broadcast, and by the money it brings to the table. You know if you own 80 percent of a company’s shares, you will get more dividends and profits than others. It’s the rule of life. India are the same,” he said.