Holding slams India for dictating terms to the world

Former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding has slammed India for wielding its power on international cricket and dictating to the rest of the world.

Michael Holding says that he has no sympathy with India © Getty Images

London: Jul 5, 2011

Former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding has slammed India for wielding its power on international cricket and dictating to the rest of the world.

“I have no sympathy with India,” said Holding during the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture delivered by Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara at Lord’s yesterday.

“They have too much power. I do not believe any country should be able to dictate to the rest of the world,” added Holding, who is now a television commentator.

World champions India have emerged as one of the most powerful cricket playing nations and financial hubs because of the massive fanbase considering it is also the world’s second most populous country.

Indian team is also the number one Test side and with its growing power, there have been concerns that BCCI has been arm-twisting the ICC in various matters, the latest being the Umpire Decision Review System.

Holding said no board should become bigger than the governing body and only the ICC has the right to dictate terms to its members.

“In the Caribbean we have been fans of Brazilian football for many years. Brazil has dominated many World Cups. But they could never go to FIFA and say ‘this is what we want’. They could never dictate the path of the sport,” Holding said.

“Only the organisation that runs the sport should dictate its path. Individual boards are dictating certain things and that’s something I can’t agree with,” he added.

© PTI