‘Be Lenient, It’s India’ – International Cricket Council ICC’s former match referee Chris Broad has dropped a bombshell, alleging he was once instructed to give the Indian cricket team a pass on an over-rate fine. Broad, who officiated from 2003 until February 2024, overseeing hundreds of international matches, revealed the controversial directive during an interview with ‘The Telegraph.’
Broad recounted an incident where the Indian team was significantly slow with their overs, which normally warrants a fine.
“India were three, four overs down at the end of a game, so it constituted a fine,”
he said.
“I got a phone call saying, ‘be lenient, find some time because it’s India’… So we had to find some time, brought it down below the threshold.”
The official then claimed the very next game, the same slow pace occurred.
Broad said he called his superiors for guidance and was then told to “just do him,” referring to the then-captain, Sourav Ganguly, who allegedly ignored all previous warnings to speed up play.
The 68-year-old, who served for two decades, also opened up about his contract not being renewed. While stating he was happy to continue, Broad suggested the shifting dynamics and growing political influence within the sport made the job increasingly difficult.
He pointed a finger at the financial power and influence of the Board of Control for Cricket in India BCCI* over the global body. “India got all the money and have now taken over the ICC so in many ways,” he claimed, adding,
“I’m pleased I’m not around because it’s much more political position now than it ever has been.”
Broad’s claims shed light on the intense pressures and political environment surrounding elite-level cricket officiating.What are your thoughts on Chris Broad’s controversial claims about the political pressures in international cricket?
