India and Canada was called off despite minimal rain on match day, owing to a wet outfield from earlier showers in the week
16 June, 2024
PHOTO: AFP
Former Indian cricketers Aakash Chopra and Sunil Gavaskar have voiced strong criticism against the ICC following the abandonment of crucial T20 World Cup matches due to weather conditions.
The latest incident occurred at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida, where the match between India and Canada was called off despite minimal rain on match day, owing to a wet outfield from earlier showers in the week, particularly on Friday, June 14.
Sunil Gavaskar stated that the ICC should avoid hosting games at venues that lack covers for the entire ground.
"ICC should not host the matches where there are no covers to cover the entire ground. You just can't cover the pitch and let the other parts of the ground get wet," Gavaskar said.
Echoing similar sentiments, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra questioned the ICC's commitment to globalizing the game.
"One more match didn't happen due to rain (wet outfield). Not even a single ball was bowled in the India vs Canada match. The last game between the USA and Ireland was also abandoned. My big question is - the globalisation we are trying to achieve through this World Cup, is it half-hearted? Secondly, is it happening the right way because if the matches only are not happening, how is it happening right?" Chopra questioned.
The cricketer-turned-commentator also criticized the scheduling of the matches, pointing out the inconvenient timings.
"Is it right the way this World Cup is happening? I ask you this question because at what time are the games starting - one at 6:00 AM (IST) and another at 8:00 PM (IST). Even four games are being played in a day, two in the morning and two at night. When the matches happen in New York, you don't understand the pitches, and when the matches happen in Dallas, they are very late," he said.
Despite the USA making it to the Super Eights, Chopra believes the ICC's goal of globalizing cricket is not being effectively achieved.
“It's good that you played 20 teams and one or two teams processed and a few favorites were left behind, you have done globalisation that way. However, the way the matches are being played, especially with the bad pitch in New York and the storm in Florida, although you couldn't have predicted that, but it rains in the West Indies," he concluded.
