Former India captains Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri have criticised the International Cricket Council over recent practices at global events including at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Their comments came during the match between India and West Indies at Eden Gardens.

Former India captains Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri have indirectly criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) over what they called “unnecessary spectacles” during an important ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match. The comments came during India’s Super 8 clash against West Indies at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.

It was a virtual quarter-final in which India looked in trouble at one point while chasing a target of 196. When the powerplay ended and the scheduled drinks break was taken, the stadium lights were dimmed and a laser show was conducted, which briefly put the ground into darkness.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

T20 World Cup 2026:
News | 
Schedule | 
Results | 
Points Table

Gavaskar, Shastri slam ICC

Both Gavaskar and Shastri felt that such sudden changes in lighting could disturb the concentration of the batters and urged the global body to avoid such entertainment shows in the future. These laser shows and pre-match concerts are often seen in Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, but they have now also started to appear in ICC events, especially in games involving India.

Speaking on commentary, Gavaskar said, “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. To get your eyes used to the light, to get the bright lights again, you have darkness around you.”

“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?” he added.

Shastri agreed with Gavaskar and said that it is not easy for players to quickly get back to what they were doing after such distractions. “And from the players’ point of view, to switch back on, is never easy. It’s serious stuff,” Shastri said.

As far as the match is concerned, Sanju Samson played a gem of an innings and guided India to a five-wicket win almost single-handedly. India will now face England in the second semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 5.

HomeFirst CricketGavaskar, Shastri take aim at ‘unnecessary’ ICC practices at T20 World Cup: ‘It’s serious stuff’End of Article