Rahul Dravid backs heavily-criticised USA leg of T20 WC, says ‘compromises need to be made...’
Dravid backs heavily-criticised USA leg of T20 WC, says ‘compromises need...'
Former Team India head coach Rahul Dravid defended ICC’s call to host the T20 World Cup in the USA. Following the 20-team tournament in the Americas that drew a lot of flak for odd-time starts, pitches, outfield, empty stands and whatnot, the ICC came under scrutiny, with plenty of members taking the matter to the annual conference in Colombo lately.
With most teams playing morning games (10:30 amlocal time start) in America across three venues – New York, Florida and Dallas, the ICC failed to achieve their motive – to popularise the game and bring the fans to the venues.
Dravid, who coached India to their second T20 WC, said during a panel discussion on Cricket in Paris on Sunday,“Yes, in terms of facilities, it’s challenging. But if you want to grow the sport and make it a global game, then you have to be at events like this and make compromises, even if it means playing at odd hours in conditions that might not necessarily be perfect.”
“I don’t think starting at 10:30 am was a problem for me, honestly. We are in the entertainment business, which caters to people who want to watch the sport. I had absolutely no problem with it.”
“As a coach, the conditions were quite even because dew becomes a factor in a lot of day-night games. The toss can become a big factor, as we saw in Australia. But for 10:30, it was not a problem; it was even-steven for both teams."
“From a coaching perspective, I didn’t mind the 10:30 game,” Dravid added.
Great step by the ICC
Considering cricket has returned to the Olympic Games (for the LA28 Programme), the ICC wanted the game to reach a larger audience; and Dravid, sitting with ICC CEO Geoff Allardice during the panel discussion, lauded the step.
“It was a great effort by the ICC to take the game to the USA and expose that audience to the game. There is a huge passion for the game in the USA. It was really nice to play in the USA; some of the games were packed,” Dravid continued.
(With inputs from agencies)
