Former England captain Michael Vaughan has been a whirlwind of opinions regarding the T20 World Cup 2024. Just days before the final clash between India and South Africa, Vaughan’s sentiments toward the Indian team have undergone a dramatic shift, leaving fans bewildered.

Earlier, Michael Vaughan took aim at the International Cricket Council (ICC), accusing them of favoring India throughout the tournament. Through podcasts and social media platforms like X, he asserted that the “whole event is geared towards India,” implying unfair scheduling and preferential treatment. He emphasized the ICC’s responsibility to be “a little bit fairer” to all participating teams.

However, in a recent about-face, Vaughan showered praise on the Indian team on X. He predicted that a victory over South Africa would ignite a “trophy-winning spree” for India, fueled by the immense talent within their squad. He highlighted the 11-year trophy drought for India, their last triumph being the 2013 Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni’s leadership.

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Michael Vaughan’s tweet stated: “I feel if India get the job done today they are going to go on a trophy winning spree .. they have so much quality in and out of this squad .. Its been 10 yrs since they won a trophy and this one could lead to quite a few over the next years .. #T20WC2024Final.”

I feel if India get the job done today they are going to go on a trophy winning spree .. they have so much quality in and out of this squad .. Its been 10 yrs since they won a trophy and this one could lead to quite a few over the next years .. #T20WC2024Final

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 29, 2024

This sudden shift in stance has left cricket fans scratching their heads. Vaughan’s earlier accusations regarding scheduling and favoritism seem contradictory to his current optimism about India’s potential dominance. Previously, on the “Club Prairie Fire” podcast, he criticized the ICC’s approach: “Literally, it’s their tournament. They get to play whenever they want. They get to know exactly where their semifinal will be. They play every single game in the morning so people can watch them at night in India on TV.”

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He further emphasized the financial aspect: “I get that money is a big play in the world of cricket… You would think that when you get to a World Cup, the ICC should be a little bit fairer to everybody. It shouldn’t be just India just because they bring a few quid in.” Vaughan reiterated these sentiments on X after South Africa’s semi-final win, questioning the scheduling decisions.

Vaughan’s unpredictable pronouncements have created confusion among cricket fans. Whether a genuine change of heart or simply pre-final hype, Vaughan’s commentary around the T20 World Cup has certainly generated buzz, albeit for reasons beyond just cricketing analysis.