Rahul Dravid Defends US Leg of T20 World Cup Amid Criticism

Former India head coach Rahul Dravid has defended the criticized US leg of the T20 World Cup, citing necessary compromises to grow the sport globally. He acknowledged challenges in facilities but emphasized their importance. Dravid spoke positively about early match timings and the significance of taking cricket to a wider audience.

Former India head coach Rahul Dravid has defended the heavily-criticised US leg of last month's T20 World Cup, emphasizing that ''playing at odd hours'' and coping with ''challenging'' facilities were necessary ''compromises'' to bring cricket to a larger audience.

Dravid acknowledged the significant effort involved in hosting the event in the United States, saying he was comfortable with 10:30am (local time) starts and the infrastructure available in New York, Florida, and Texas. ''Yes, the facilities were challenging. But to grow the sport and make it global, you have to participate in such events and make compromises, even if it means playing at odd hours in imperfect conditions,'' Dravid said during a panel discussion on 'Cricket at the Olympics: Dawn of a New Era.'

Dravid, who led India to their first ICC title in 11 years in the tournament co-hosted by USA and West Indies, also remarked that early match timings ensured an even playing field. ''Starting at 10:30am wasn't a problem. We are in the entertainment business, catering to people who want to watch the sport,'' he added. The move is seen as a stepping stone to build a fan base in the USA ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics.

(With inputs from agencies.)