India's position is thoroughly justified. How can there be world championships without having a proper platform? Just because the version of the game is a money spinner in 2-3 countries, other countries should not be forced to participate in a game in which their players have little or very less experience. It is very much like asking all the countries that play cricket to participate in a 50 over a side world cup just because that version is very popular in India, Pakistan, Australia and a few other countries.

Let all countries have proper experience in playing these 20/20 matches before a world championship is even thought about.

I have watched two international 20/20 matches within the last 12 months and must say that it is nothing but slog-all-you-can in 20 overs.

And most 50 over games on Asian pitches aren't?

I have a feeling that 20-20 could be the key to expanding cricket in non-Test nations, however in order for that to have a decent chance of working it will probably need something like a world cup.

I can't back this up with any evidence at the moment because it is only a feeling so far.

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umeiV luphqhsesqe, all’ h luph umwn eiV caran genhsetai.

No, any 50 over game on any pitch is not a slogging game. Its foolish to assume that.

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My computer can beat me at chess.....but its no match for me at kick boxing.

I agree with you, but like Django pointed out, a world championship is not held just because the game is popular in 2/3 nations. If ICC wants to promote it, there should be a methodical way of doing it. They just cant announce a world championship and drag all teams into that.

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My computer can beat me at chess.....but its no match for me at kick boxing.

Wasn't there a report a while back that about 7 countries (not all of them Test nations) wanted to host a 20-20 world cup?

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umeiV luphqhsesqe, all’ h luph umwn eiV caran genhsetai.

I'm seriously fed up with this autocracy from the Indian Governing Body.

First they scheduled their fixtures on their own; which is a shame, because they're only gonna want Australia, England, Pakistan and South Africa to play them.

Second they decided to boycott any future ICC Champions Trophy Events and have put this years one in jeopardy.

And now this. Why don't they just grow up and not be so concerned about money?

Maybe the way to go is to set India free.Let them go and play with whoever they can get while the rest stay under the ICC banner.Wonder how long it would take until they came crawling back with a begging bowl?

If England and Austalia wanted to they could just end up playing each other every year and not bother with other teams as they would make the most money out of it,but they wouldn't as they know it would harm cricket in general.

I agree with you greg. India seem to just not want to participate in anything, selfish and arrogant towards others...
The only way forward for twenty20 is to just ignore India and play without. If they don't play it's their loss.

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Watch this for a perfect about.
James May

Frankly speaking, I dont like Twenty20 cricket. Its just too short! I am quite used to spending the whole day in front of the telly if live cricket is on. But I'm sure most people I know want India to play Twenty20. The BCCI isnt interested and that means that they dont see themselves making a lot of money through this form of the game. I really dont care about Twenty20 so what the BCCI does about it doesnt bother me. But yes they shouldnt be dragging the whole of Asia with them. That aint right. I am amazed to see Pakistan and Sri Lanka supporting India's stance 'cause domestic Twenty20 was a hit there and anyways the crowds there dont show up for tests. When you see empty stands in a India-Pakistan match you know exactly what they feel. India's decision to boycott the Champions trophy is sad. They want to dump it, again, mainly due to financial considerations.

But if anybody is to be blamed for all this mess, its not India, but the ICC. They have never looked like the governing body of the sport. Members do as they like. India should have been banned from international cricket when they had refused to play Pakistan earlier. If they had apprehensions about playing across the border the venue could have been shifted to the UAE or even England. But its too late now. India are fully aware of the status they hold in international cricket, moneywise. And they are going to take full advantage of that. They'll get the whole of Asia to back them which means a total of 4 test playing countries. The BCCI has already convinced Australia and England to trash the 5-year playing circle and play each other more often. India have shown the middle finger to the ICC and now the ball is in ICC's court. They will have to take a tough decision. Either fall in with India's demands and chalk out a compromise or ban/boycott them and those who are with them. That will need a lot of unity amongst the non-Asian powers. Asia is the money-spinner and needs to handled smartly. Interesting days ahead!

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"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, prepare to die."
- Klingon Proverb, Star Trek