T20 World Cup 2021: ICC needs to ensure a level playing field and look into unfair toss advantage- Gavaskar

29 out of the 45 matches won by the chasing side in the tournament.

Mitchell Marsh starred in Australia's historic win at T20 World Cup | Getty Images

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar believes that the International Cricket Council (ICC) should look into the fact that how a significant number of matches were won by the chasing side in the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Notably, the teams that batted second had an advantage in the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE, as the team batting second emerged victorious in 29 out of the 45 matches played in the competition, as well as all three knockout matches (two semifinals and final) was won by the side chasing.

On Sunday, November 14, Australia defeated New Zealand by 8 wickets in the summit clash while chasing a 173-run target in Dubai to win its maiden T20 World Cup title.

However, Gavaskar said the dew did not play a major role in the outcome of the final but feels the ICC needs to look into the fact that the chasing team had an advantage throughout the tournament.

Read Also: T20 World Cup 2021: Williamson feels Kiwis posted competitive total in final, credits Australia for superb chase

The former Indian captain further insisted that this is an issue for the ICC Cricket Committee to tackle and ensure a level playing field for both teams while hailing the Australians for the way they went about their chase in the final against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday.

Gavaskar told Sports Today: “The commentators were saying that the dew factor wasn't there today so I don't think it really came into play that much in this game but I think it has in the previous games and maybe that is something that needs to be looked at. But you may also say that if the group matches are played at the same time then why to change for the knockouts.”

He added, “But again, I feel that it is something for the ICC Cricket Committee to get their heads around and make sure that there is a level playing field for both teams.”

The legendary batter also lauded Mitchell Marsh for his extraordinary knock of 77* runs off 50 balls to help Australia win the T20 World Cup 2021. He further pointed out that New Zealand would have wanted to dismiss David Warner early, but failed to do so.

He was also highly impressed with the way Australia was batting and said they could have scored over 200 in the final.

Read Also: T20 World Cup 2021: Smith hails Warner saying he came in with intent when people were writing him off

Gavaskar signed off by saying, “I think Mitchell Marsh played an extraordinary inning, David Warner has been playing well for the last few matches. New Zealand would have wanted to get him more than Aaron Finch but they didn't get him and here we are. They won with six (seven) balls to spare. Maxwell and Marsh at the crease, those balls could have gone for 20 runs as well.”

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 15 Nov, 2021

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