‘Cover The Entire Ground’: Sunil Gavaskar Slams ICC Due To Rain-Induced Florida Matches

IND vs CAN, 2024 T20 World Cup: Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar showed his disappointment due to the lack of covers at the Central Broward Regional Park stadium in Lauderhill, Florida. He made these comments after India’s last group-stage match against Canada was abandoned due to incessant rain on Saturday.  
 
It didn’t rain on Saturday morning, but the outfield was wet due to the heavy rainfall the previous night and that's why the match was washed out without a ball being bowled. The pitch and the square region were covered in the morning, but a lot of water had accumulated from the outfield due to the overnight rains.  
 
The on-field umpires inspected the ground twice before they decided to call off India’s last group-stage match. It should be noted here that the USA’s match against Ireland was also abandoned due to inclement weather on Friday. This helped the Monank Patel-led side qualify for the Super 8 whereas Pakistan, who were hugely dependent on Florida’s weather were eliminated from the Super 8 stage race.  

Also Read: AUS vs SCO 2024 T20 World Cup Dream XI 
 
"My request to the ICC is to ensure there is cover for the entire ground if there is an ICC match. If the venue doesn't have the covers, don't give it to that venue. Give it to a ground that has got all covers," Gavaskar was quoted as saying on Star Sports.  
 
Don’t give any excuses 
 
Gavaskar also insisted that the ICC must make sure that all the venues holding the ICC tournaments should have adequate funds to afford larger covers. He also said that all the venues should have covers for the whole ground irrespective of the drainage system.  
 
"It's something that the ICC needs to do. All the ground organizations must have covers that cover the entire ground. In this business of covering only the square everybody has got money now. You can't give the excuse that you don't have money for covers. However good your ground drainage system is, if you have covers, the ground will dry faster. People will get to see some cricket. It's so important for that important. We saw all those guys come from Tampa, Texas. They have traveled long. Here in America, where do they get to see so many top-class players? Give them the opportunity. 
So get the covers for the entire ground. Everybody can do that," he further said.  
 
Sanjay Manjrekar, who was with Gavaskar on Star Sports, talked about how Sri Lanka managed the rain-induced matches in the Asia Cup last year, where they used larger covers, which covered the whole ground.  
 
It should be noted here that three of the four matches, which were supposed to be held in Florida, were abandoned due to incessant rains. The Babar Azam-led side will lock horns with Ireland in their last group stage match on Sunday in Florida, where the weather conditions don’t look ideal for a full 40-overs game.