Jay Shah Devajit Saikia for ICC and BCCI. Image Credits: AFPEngland women’s cricketers Kate Cross and Alex Hartley have come in for some bashing on social media after they blamed Jay Shah and the ICC for favoring India in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Their words come ahead of India’s must-win clash against Australia on June 28, 2026, at Lord’s.The Women's T20 World Cup campaign for India has advanced to a pivotal point. To increase their prospects of making it to the semi-finals, Harmanpreet Kaur's team needs to defeat Australia at Lord's. In this crucial match, a cohesive team effort will be crucial.India’s T20 World Cup campaignIndia Women started with a big win over Pakistan women in their tournament opener and followed it up with a 95-run win over the Netherlands. However, a 6-wicket loss to South Africa in Manchester put their hopes of semi-finals in trouble. India defeated Bangladesh in their recent-most T20 World Cup game against Bangladesh.Although India has fought hard throughout the competition, there are still some worries. Fielders have missed crucial catches, the speed attack has not had enough of an impact with the new ball, and the middle order has battled to be consistent.India has maintained their position in the race despite those setbacks thanks to significant victories in Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham. They would be well-positioned to advance to the semi-finals with another victory at Lord's.Also Read: Fatima Sana Creates New World Record With Stunning Spell Vs NetherlandsKate Cross and Alex Hartley slam the ICC for India’s scheduling in the T20 World Cup 2026The International Cricket Council (ICC) is allegedly attempting to guarantee that India advances to the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup semifinals, according to English cricket players Alex Hartley and Kate Cross.According to the two, the ICC supports India and collaborates with the BCCI to retain lucrative teams in the competition for financial gain. Kate Cross has alleged that the ICC had previously scheduled the semi-finals so that, should India qualify, they would play on Tuesday. She claimed that rather than upholding a fair competition framework, the choice was taken to appeal to television viewers."Can we talk about the fact that I've seen today that if India qualifies for the semis, they're guaranteed to play on the Tuesday semi-final because the ICC thinks that that's the best one for them to play in time-wise?" Kate Cross said on "No Balls: The Cricket Podcast."Hartley supported the assertion, pointing out that similar scheduling choices had occurred in both the men's and women's World Cups. For business purposes, Cross continued, the ICC was favoring one team over another."Happens in men's cricket, women's cricket, all World Cups," Alex Hartley said.Fans remind Cross and Hartley of England's groupings in ICC events and favoritism they receive"Everyone can plan it based on when India is going to play. It's absolutely mental. I don't understand how you can go into a tournament, and the governing body would prioritize one team like that. I know exactly why they're doing it, but I think it's absolutely ridiculous," Kate Cross said."Yeah, it is bad, it is bad, but it's looking like they might struggle to qualify anyway," Alex Hartley added.Indian Cricket Ministry @Tejashyyyyyy 🚨🤯 Shocking: Kate Cross and Alex Hartley believes that the ICC is showing favoritism toward the BCCI "Can we talk about the fact that, if India qualify for the semifinals, they're guaranteed to play in the Tuesday semifinal because the ICC believes that's the best slot for Jun 28, 2026, 9:13 AM However, fans were not happy with the assertion Cross and Hartley made on their podcast and reminded them of the favoritism England receives from the ICC when it comes to events and groupings.Here are some reactions:Honest Cricket Fan @HonestCric756 @CallMeSheri1_ In current times due to FIFA there is less viewership on women's world cup...so ICC try to generate maximum revenue from India viewership...Bc hamare viewership re icc revenue generate karega...aur in porkion ko dega... phir bhi inki g masti dekho bikhariyo ki Giodenes @Giodenes122215 @CallMeSheri1_ Tell these girls to lower their salaries and bear the burden of not allowing India to play in the prime time slot which ultimately pays the largest chunk of their salaries Dead Guru @PAPA_JI_4141 @Tejashyyyyyy India funds the sport you get paid to play — cry harder about the hand that feeds you. Abhijeet @Who_Abhijeet @Tejashyyyyyy Wait for WPL to start next year they will say how good Indian cricket is Sandy ✨ @Sandy_Krish_ Just like England Women, who were placed in Group A without having to face Australia, India, or South Africa in group stage. Sky @captain_xone @Tejashyyyyyy icc is not favoring bcci but themselves only what advantage India gets is it extra runs, wickets, different pitch, or extra player. It is icc job to slot which to which i do not think bcci asked for particular slot so icc is showing favoritism toward the icc only Amrit Ranjan Supkar @supkar33 @Tejashyyyyyy Social media, podcasts and cricket experts were not present during 70s-80s. Else the same thing would have been discussed about English Cricket Board. But hang on, who would have raised those questions?? A thief will never discuss its own crimes. Shailesh @shailesh18_ It's ironic that these people talking about favouritism when in the same tournament England semifinal spot gets served on a platter by forming group such as they avoid facing Australia, India and South Africa in league stage. Cricket Tamizhan @CricketTamizhan Women’s cricket is happening at a loss . ICC tournaments don’t make money . Let’s just complain about a measure taken to improve revenue because you will be subsided by men’s cricket anyway. Don’t complain about everything ffs. #T20WorldCup Tan @Tans_a18 England literally qualified for semis by playing against minnows. Kitna rote hai bhai yeh log satyam @noontonightt meanwhile the group India got and the group England got Jun 28, 2026, 12:27 PM Also Read: Akeal Hosein's Hattrick In Vain! Nikhil Chaudhary's Last Ball Six Sends TSK In Shock
