'ICC should ensure a level playing field' - Sunil Gavaskar opines on the role of 'toss advantage' in the 2021 T20 World Cup

The 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup concluded on 14th November 2021, with Australia emerging as the champions, beating New Zealand by 8 wickets in the summit clash. And, one issue that has grabbed the spotlight is, that the team batting second has emerged victorious in 29 out of the 45 matches played in the competition.

All 3 knockout matches (2 semifinals and finals) were won by the side chasing. And, Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar feels that the ICC needs to look into the fact that so many matches were won by the side chasing.

Gavaskar added that the dew did not play a major role in the outcome of the summit clash, but the fact that the chasing team had an advantage in the tournament is something that needs to be looked into.

“The commentators were saying that the dew factor wasn’t there today so I don’t think it really came into play that much in this game but I think it has in the previous games and maybe that is something that needs to be looked at. I feel that it is something for the ICC Cricket Committee to get their heads around and make sure that there is a level playing field for both teams,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by India Today.

Mitchell Marsh played an extraordinary innings: Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar also showered praises on Mitchell Marsh and opined that the right-hander played an extraordinary knock for the Aussies in the final. The 72-year-old concluded by stating that the New Zealand side would have wanted to scalp the wicket of David Warner early, but failed to do so.

“I think Mitchell Marsh played an extraordinary innings, David Warner has been playing well for the last few matches. New Zealand would have wanted to get him more than Aaron Finch but they didn’t get him and here we are. They won with six (seven) balls to spare. Maxwell and Marsh at the crease, those balls could have gone for 20 runs as well,” concluded Sunil Gavaskar.