Hussain responds to 'bias' talks for India

India has faced criticism over alleged favoritism from the International Cricket Council (ICC) due to pre-decided scheduling, ensuring their semi-final would be in Guyana if they qualified.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain acknowledged perceptions that everything seemed set for India in their T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final, including favorable conditions, but pointed out India had previously adapted to different pitches, notably defeating Australia in St Lucia before the semi-final.

"The narrative will be that everything on Thursday was geared towards India reaching the T20 World Cup final - the surface, the venue, all seemed to be in their favour. But if you look at things in greater detail, they came into this semi-final against England having just beaten 50-over world champions Australia on a bouncier, good pitch in St Lucia. and reverted to a lower, slower pitch and won comfortably,” Hussain wrote.

Criticism extended to the tournament schedule, notably from former England captain Michael Vaughan, who criticized the perceived bias favoring India. He pointed out that all of India's matches were scheduled in the morning, accommodating Indian broadcast timings, and that they were slated for the second semi-final in Guyana, regardless of their Super 8 stage performance.

“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,” Vaughan wrote after the first semi-final was held between South Africa and Afghanistan in Trinidad.

After India's victory over England in the semi-final, Vaughan praised India's performance but suggested the pitch conditions favored them.

“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.

In response to Vaughan's criticism, Sourav Ganguly questioned how broadcasting schedules could influence match outcomes, emphasizing that winning still required on-field performance.

“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.

‘Bumrah warning’

The T20 World Cup 2024 final will see two undefeated teams, India and South Africa, compete in Barbados. India aims to reclaim the trophy they last won in 2007, while South Africa strives to win their first World Cup. Looking forward to the match at Kensington Oval, Gayle finds it difficult to choose a winner.

“It’s going to be a tough call with both teams playing excellent and aggressive cricket throughout the tournament," he said. “We have a final fit for the occasion."

Gayle highlighted Jasprit Bumrah as a potential game-changer for India against South Africa's batting lineup. Bumrah has taken 13 wickets in seven matches with an impressive T20 economy rate of 4.12, including a spell of 2/12 against England in the semi-final.

“India are going to be so hard to beat. They bat so deep and in Jasprit Bumrah, have a world-class death bowler who can break the hearts of the opponents," Gayle noted.

“In contrast, I picked South Africa as a dark horse before the tournament began, and it is very special to see them finally reach their first final after so many semi-final upsets.

“Getting over the hump and winning a World Cup is so special and if they can do it, it will create memories that will last a lifetime for the players and the nation,” he added.