"India runs cricket" - Chris Gayle makes sensational claim; backs Jos Buttler's 'no international cricket during IPL' suggestion

Team India are all set to play the second semi-final against England in the T20 World Cup 2024. The Men in Blue have been unbeaten in this World Cup campaign so far.

A win against Australia in their final Super 8 match saw them qualify for the semi-finals of this World Cup. They played the 2022 semi-final against England as well and will play this semi-final against England as well.

Afghanistan's win over Bangladesh knocked Australia out of the tournament. Meanwhile, England managed to qualify after beating the West Indies and the USA.

Also Read: India tour of Sri Lanka 2024 full schedule announced

Chris Gayle who has been a pioneer of West Indies cricket and someone who has been among the most successful overseas players playing in the IPL spoke about the BCCI and its impact on Indian and world cricket.

“No one can speak to India. India runs cricket. You have to face reality; it’s facts. Who is going to talk to India? Who is going to challenge India? No one. They run cricket," Gayle stated as per DafaNews.

He also spoke about the problems faced when international players have to leave the IPL midway due to international commitments. There have been talks about no international cricket being organized during the IPL as well.

“When the IPL is going on, you see players who have to leave the tournament to go play for their countries. If you have an IPL window [then] it should just be the IPL in that window. You shouldn’t have international cricket during that time frame because there’s only one team that’s going to benefit, and that’s India. That’s unfair. You cannot have a system like that,” the Universe Boss added.

Meanwhile, Gayle also tried giving a suggestion saying that the ICC needs to have a distinct time frame for domestic T20 tournaments like the IPL, free from any scheduling conflicts with international fixtures.

West Indies who are the co-hots of the T20 World Cup 2024 alongside USA faced elimination as they lost two of their Super 8 matches against England and South Africa. They managed to stay unbeaten in the Group stage. However, they lost two crucial games in the Suoper 8s and were shown the door in the tournament. They lost to South Africa in their last Super 8 game. Interestingly, the Windies whitewashed South Africa in a T20I series at home heading into the T20 World Cup.

"We haven't won the World Cup or reached the semifinal but we have played some good cricket in the last 12 months. There is a buzz among the supporters about West Indies cricket again and that is something we take away," said Windies skipper Rovman Powell after his team's exit from the tournament.

South Africa will now face Afghanistan in the first semi-final in Trinidad on Thursday and India will face England in the second.

Also Read: SA vs AFG Match Preview- ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Semi-Final 1