Ahead of the T20 World Cup semi-final in the UK, Australian media accuse the ICC of bending rules for India
The stage is set for a thrilling T20 World Cup semi-final clash between India and England, but controversy swirls off the field. Media outlets in the UK and Australia are accusing the International Cricket Council of prioritizing TV audiences in India over fair play. The heart of the controversy lies in the scheduling of the semi-finals. While the Afghanistan vs. South Africa match has a reserve day in case of rain, the England vs. India clash in Guyana does not.
This disparity raises concerns, as Guyana’s rainy season coincides with the tournament. Should a washout occur, India, due to their higher Super 8 group stage finish, would automatically advance to the final, leaving England out in the cold.
British media outlets are particularly critical as they point out that India’s semi-final location and timing were pre-determined, prioritizing prime-time viewership in India over fairness and scheduling consistency.
They argue that this prioritizes “TV audiences in South Asia” over “organizational integrity.”
An Australian publication also echoes these concerns. They highlight the unusual scheduling choices of the tournament, including early morning and late-night matches seemingly tailored for Indian audiences.