Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has dismissed Michael Vaughan's comments suggesting the ICC is favoring India in the T20 World Cup 2024. Ganguly expressed confusion over Vaughan's logic, stating that scheduling matches at 8 PM IST doesn't provide any advantage in winning the tournament. India have indeed been a force to be reckoned with throughout the competition. Under Rohit Sharma's leadership, they've displayed exceptional cricket, currently enjoying an undefeated run and securing a spot in the final after thrashing India. Both batting and bowling have been India's strengths. The team has functioned cohesively, with individual players consistently stepping up to contribute to their overall dominance in the tournament.
Ganguly Shrugs Off Vaughan's Claims of ICC Favoritism towards India
India's dominant performance in the T20 World Cup has sparked controversy. Former England captain Michael Vaughan suggested the ICC is favoring India, citing spin-friendly pitches, particularly in the semi-final against England held in Guyana and morning matches. However, Sourav Ganguly, a former Indian captain, brushed aside these claims. While acknowledging Vaughan as a friend, he questioned the logic behind such accusations. Ganguly pointed out that favorable broadcasting times don't translate to automatic victories – teams still need to perform well on the field.
"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. Secondly, I don't know why Guyana is thought to be a venue for winning when they have gone around and won everywhere," Ganguly said, as quoted by PTI.
Sourav Ganguly took his response to Michael Vaughan a step further. He asserted that India's current dominance in the T20 World Cup stems from their genuine strength as a cricketing force. Ganguly offered an analogy: if a team consistently performs well, they deserve the accolades and opportunities that follow. He essentially argues that India's success isn't due to external factors, but rather their on-field performance.
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“Yes, India is 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 is the same,” he added.
India Storms into T20 World Cup Final with Dominant Win
India delivered a crushing blow to England in the T20 World Cup semi-final, securing a convincing 68-run victory. Batting first, captain Rohit Sharma set the tone with a well-compiled 57 runs. The Indian bowlers then took center stage, with spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel sharing six wickets between them. Yadav and Patel's magnificent spells restricted England to a meager 103 runs, dismantling their batting order. Riding this momentum, India will now face South Africa in the highly anticipated final on June 29, at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. Both teams are undefeated so far in the tournament, making for a thrilling clash to decide the new T20 World Cup champions.
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