BCCI Called Out For ICC’s Favouritism

BCCI called out [Source: AFP]

The balance of power in international cricket has often gone beyond what happens on the field. Fresh remarks have reignited this debate, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) accused of wielding authority within the International Cricket Council (ICC).

South African off-spinner Simon Harmer, not holding back in his assessment, targeted the Indian board as he believes that India’s dominance in world cricket is fuelled by its “commercial strength”

Simon Harmer makes big claims against BCCI, Indian cricket

South Africa spinner Simon Harmer is of the opinion that the BCCI controls the ICC. While speaking with the Guardian, the 37-year-old stated that the Indian board holds the “commercial power” which gives them “all of the power” to control the global cricketing narrative.

He said “Because of their commercial power, they have all of the power. The BCCI control the ICC. But what can we do? As a player, you just control the controllables. The only thing that changes the narrative is winning trophies.”

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Incidentally, this is not the first time an overseas cricketer or an expert has accused the BCCI of exerting behind-the-scenes control over the ICC. Several former Pakistan and England cricketers have repeatedly cried foul over the Indian cricket team and the BCCI, especially during multi-nation ICC events like T20 World Cups, Champions Trophies or ODI World Cups.

Last year during the ICC Champions Trophy, many so-called ‘experts’ called out the ICC for favouring the BCCI after they scheduled all of India’s matches at a single venue in the UAE, doing so after the ‘Men in Blue’ refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.

Many experts also criticised the apex council for not granting Bangladesh the same privilege when the BCB refused to travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, even though the two cases were completely different scenarios.

Harmer praises South Africa after Test series win in India

Simon Harmer was part of the South African team that secured a historic 2-0 Test series win in India late last year. With South Africa also winning the 2025 ICC WTC by defeating Australia in a hard-fought final, the cricketer praised the Proteas for not relying on individual stars.

He said “That team is more than the sum of its parts with only a couple of superstars.”

When South Africa crushed India to script history

Back in November last year, the South African cricket team pulverised Team India in a two-match Test series on Indian soil. Under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, the reigning WTC winners overcame the hosts by 30 runs in a low-scoring series-opener at the Eden Gardens.

In the second Test in Guwahati, South Africa recorded a huge 408-run win to mark India’s worst defeat in format history. The outcome also handed the Proteas their first Test series win in India after 25 years.

It is worth noting that Simon Harmer bagged the ‘Player of the Series’ award for picking up 17 wickets in just four innings at an exceptional bowling average of 8.94.

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