Ravi Shastri Fires Back at Michael Vaughan: “Let Him Sort Out the England Team First”

July 6, 2024 0 953

Ravi Shastri dismissed Michael Vaughan’s criticism about World Cup schedule favouring India, suggesting Vaughan should focus on England’s own failures.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has responded sharply to Michael Vaughan’s allegations that the 2024 T20 World Cup schedule favored India. Vaughan criticized the ICC for scheduling matches to benefit India, allowing them to play all their games in the morning for prime-time viewership back home. He also pointed out that Afghanistan faced a disadvantage with a flight delay and only one day of rest before their semi-final against South Africa, while India enjoyed better scheduling.

“So Afghanistan qualified for the WC semi, winning in St Vincent on Monday night .. 4 hr flight delay on Tues to Trinidad so no time to practice or get accustomed to a new venue .. utter lack of respect to players, I am afraid. Surely this semi should have been the Guyana one .. but because the whole event is geared towards India it’s so unfair on others ..,” Vaughan had posted on X.

In response, Shastri dismissed Vaughan’s claims, asserting that no one in India cares about his opinions. He suggested that Vaughan should focus on addressing the issues within the England team, which suffered a heavy defeat to India in the semi-finals. Shastri also highlighted India’s successful history in T20 World Cups, contrasting it with Vaughan’s lack of tournament wins.

“Michael Vaughan can say what he wants. Nobody in India cares. Let him sort out the England team first. He should give advice on what happened to the England team in the semifinal. India are used to lifting Cups. I know England have won twice, but India have won four times. I don’t think Michael’s lifted a Cup ever. So think twice. He is a colleague of mine, but that’s my answer to him,” Shastri told Times Now.

Addressing the controversy over Suryakumar’s catch in the final, Shastri dismissed critics, suggesting they are just bitter.

“Sour grapes. And go and check the record books after five years. The name India will be engraved on it,” he concluded.