Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has strongly criticised Michael Vaughan for his remarks about the Guyana pitch favouring India in the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final against England.
Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, suggested that the Guyana pitch was biased towards India. He voiced his concerns on social media, claiming that the ICC was favouring India by scheduling the semifinal in Guyana, which he believed suited India's playing style.
Harbhajan Singh retorted to Vaughan's claims, labelling them as "nonsense" and urging Vaughan to "talk logic." Harbhajan emphasised that England was simply outplayed by India and that Vaughan should accept the defeat gracefully.
Despite the backlash, Vaughan continued to assert that the pitch conditions were unfair to England. He implied that England would have had a better chance had the semi-final been played at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, instead of Guyana.
In the semifinal, India defeated England by 68 runs at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. India batted first, posting a total of 171/7. The pitch, known for being slow and aiding spinners, played to India's strengths. Despite rain delays, Indian spinners effectively exploited the conditions, which contributed to England's collapse at 103 runs.
Vaughan's comments sparked reactions on social media, with some users supporting his viewpoint while others, like Harbhajan, criticised him for not acknowledging India's superior performance.
Harbhajan's critique underscores a broader sentiment that India outplayed England comprehensively, regardless of the pitch conditions. He and others believe that Vaughan's remarks detract from India's well-deserved victory and do not recognise the team's skill and strategy.