Chris Broad’s shocking revelation sparks controversy over ICC bias toward India

In a revelation that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, former ICC match referee Chris Broad has claimed that he was once instructed to be “lenient” toward the Indian cricket team during his tenure.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Broad described receiving a phone call asking him to “find some time” for India to avoid a fine due to a slow over rate — a statement now fueling long-standing accusations of ICC bias toward India.

Broad recalled, “India were three, four overs down at the end of a game, so it constituted a fine. I received a phone call saying, ‘Be lenient, find some time because it’s India.’ So, we had to bring it down below the threshold.”

He further alleged that in the next match, when then-Indian captain Sourav Ganguly again failed to meet the over-rate requirements, he was told to take action.

“I phoned and said, ‘What do you want me to do now?’ and I was told, ‘Just do him.’”

The revelation has reignited debates about India’s influence over world cricket and the neutrality of ICC decisions. Fans and former players have taken to social media demanding transparency and a formal response from the ICC.

Neither the BCCI nor the ICC has yet issued an official statement regarding Broad’s claims. But with ICC bias toward India once again under the microscope, pressure is mounting on cricket’s global governing body to address the growing perception of unequal treatment.