Former India head coach Rahul Dravid has stepped forward to defend the heavily criticised US leg of last month’s T20 World Cup. In a candid assessment, Dravid emphasized that certain compromises were necessary to expand cricket’s global reach and engage a larger audience.
The USA hosted a cricketing showpiece for the first time, aiming to build a fan base in the region ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics. Dravid acknowledged that playing at odd hours and coping with challenging facilities were part of the deal.
Despite the hurdles, he supported the 10.30 am (local time) starts and the infrastructure used in New York, Florida, and Texas.
Rahul Dravid’s thoughts on hosting WC in the USA
To cater to the massive audience in the subcontinent, all India matches were scheduled at 10.30 am. Some criticism arose, as it seemed local Americans were not fully considered. Dravid, however, defended the early start, emphasizing that cricket is an entertainment business that caters to fans who want to watch the sport.
“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,” Rahul Dravid said in a panel discussion on `Cricket at the Olympics: Dawn of a New Era’
Dravid pointed out that the early start ensured fairness for both teams. Dew often becomes a factor in day-night games, and the toss can significantly impact the outcome. For the 10.30 am matches, conditions were even-steven, levelling the playing field.
“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,” Dravid said.
“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 for both teams.”
“From a coaching perspective, I didn`t mind the 10:30 game,” he said.
Catch a Glimpse of Rahul Dravid at the India House during the Paris Olympics!
From cricket's inclusion in the LA Olympics to the rise of women's cricket, the former Indian captain and World Cup coach shares his insights. Tune in!@sharmisthagoop2 #RahulDravid #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/KRZauutwqe
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Dravid praised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for taking the game to the USA. The effort exposed American audiences to cricket, tapping into their passion for the sport. Despite challenges, some games were packed, showcasing the potential of cricket in the region.
“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,” he said.
