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Sourav Ganguly says India are a dominant force because of its performance. (PTI Photo)
Michael Vaughan has claimed that the entire T20 World Cup has been designed to favour the Indian cricket team.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has been critical of the way the 2024 T20 World Cup schedule has been designed keeping the Indian cricket team in mind. All of India’s matches have been played in the morning (10:30 AM local time) and the former champions were penciled in to play the second semi-final (morning fixture) should they have qualified no matter the position they finished in the Super 8 stage.
The timings of India matches have been kept so as to suit the timings back home as they start at 8 PM IST.
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The first semi-final was held between South Africa and Afghanistan in Trinidad and Vaughan vented ire on X (formerly Twitter) and took an indirect dig at India and International Cricket Council (ICC).
“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.
In the second semi-final, India outclassed defending champions England to set up title clash with South Africa. Vaughan, after praising the Rohit Sharma-led team, insinuated that the surface was more conducive towards Indian team.
“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 hit back at Vaughan wondering how the evening time slot is helping India win 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 is the richest cricket board in the world with the Indian market being the biggest source of revenue for ICC and Ganguly says the reason behind this is their team’s consistent on-field performances.
“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.
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