Ian Botham blasts Indian cricket administration

Former England all-rounder Ian Botham certainly knows a thing or two about Test cricket. He was a major part of the 1981 Ashes series, where ‘Beefy’ came to the fore with a virtuoso performance. They even named the 1981 Ashes series after him. Now, after all, those years and earning his much-anticipated knighthood, Botham is now back in the walls of the commentary box.

Most recently, Botham has lashed out at the Indian cricket administration. The Indians have played just the one ODI in the calendar year and the former England all-rounder has begun questioning the Test cricket scene in India.

“I am disappointed with Indian cricket right now. Cricket is more than just a 20-over game, they need to understand that. England’s contests with India always used to excite me but right now, I don’t know what to say,” the legendary all-rounder did not mince words during an interaction with Indian journalists on the sidelines of Laureus World Sports Awards.

“Where is India going in Test cricket? Why is it happening to the team? Is it saturation of Twenty20? India needs to figure out,” Botham seemed baffled in the manner India has treated Test cricket.

Botham also established an unlikely comparison between the Indians and the rest of the world. Botham was speaking on how well Australia and England have held on to their Test culture before expressing his disappointment with India, who are interestingly playing mostly Test cricket this year.

“Look I don’t understand rankings. England, South Africa, and Australia are playing the best Test cricket to my mind,” he was forthright in his assessment.

“Australia has an established Big Bash, it’s pretty well fitted in the calendar. England is also alright with a proper setup. Look you can have Twenty20 matches but it cannot be a week in and week out. People get bored of it,” he said.

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