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The 1983 World Cup-winning duo Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri on March 1 criticised the organisers for the laser show during the innings break of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 game between India and West Indies at the Eden Gardens. The Super 8 encounter turned out to be a virtual quarterfinal. In the run chase of 196, India were 53/2 when the powerplay overs came to an end and the crowd was entertained with a laser show while the stadium lights were dimmed. The former Indian captains wondered how difficult it is for batters to adapt to the change in lighting again.
“The laser show during the two-and-a-half or three minutes of the drinks break…it’s not easy on the batters, or anybody for that matter," Gavaskar said on commentary.
"To get your eyes used to the light, to get the bright lights again, you have darkness around you.”
Shastri agreed with Gavaskar. He went on to say that this kind of entertainment should be limited to the Indian Premier League (IPL) league stage matches, not suitable for a World Cup game as it could impact the players.
“You have a laser thing going on. This is the World Cup. And for two and a half minutes, do you need this kind of entertainment? "In the IPL, it’s fine in the middle of the IPL. Not in the knockouts, but in the middle of the IPL, that is fine. But at the moment here, in the World Cup, do we need these laser shows in the middle of the drinks break, at the drinks interval?” Shastri questioned.
“And from the players’ point of view, to switch back on, is never easy. It’s serious stuff,” he added.
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Samson leads India to semifinals
However, India didn't falter in the run chase. Sanju Samson continued to play the modern anchor role where he did not let the tempo drop. After skipper Suryakumar Yadav's wicket, Tilak Varma contributed with a vital 15-ball 27 cameo. Hardik Pandya couldn't finish the game but Shivam Dube's two boundaries in the penultimate over meant India needed seven runs in the final over. Samson hit a six and a four in the final over, taking India to semifinals with his unbeaten 50-ball 97.
India will now go up against Harry Brook-led England at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, in the second semifinal on March 5.
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