Cricket enthusiasts are raising eyebrows over the schedule for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the US and the Caribbean, particularly the potential for a quick turnaround between the semifinals and the final. The two semifinal matches are set for June 26 and 27, with the final scheduled for June 29. This could mean that one team may have to compete in the semifinal and final on consecutive days, sparking concerns about player fatigue and performance.
While some argue that such a scenario is unlikely given the warm Caribbean weather in June, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have planned reserve days in case of any unforeseen circumstances. However, there is still a possibility of an abnormal situation arising.
If the second semifinal spills over to the following day, the winning team would have less than 24 hours to prepare for the final match. Additionally, they would need to travel from Providence in Guyana to Bridgetown in Barbados within that short timeframe. This could potentially impact a team like India, should they make it to the final.
According to the current schedule, India is expected to play their semifinal on June 27 at 8.30 pm IST, if they qualify. While a CWI official mentioned that the ICC is responsible for the tournament’s playing regulations and scheduling, questions have been raised about the logistical challenges posed by the tight turnaround.
In a recent media release on March 15, the ICC confirmed the inclusion of reserve days for the last three matches of the 55-game tournament, including the semifinals and final. If the need arises, the final may be moved to the reserve day on June 30. However, the ICC has not explicitly stated this as of yet.
This situation is unprecedented, as previous global events had sufficient gaps between the semifinals and the final matches. The close proximity between the semifinal and final in this year’s T20 World Cup has caught the attention of cricket fans worldwide, adding an element of unpredictability to the highly anticipated tournament set to begin on June 1.