Ahead of the fourth Test in the ongoing Australia-India series, the Australian cricket team participated in a media interaction, where they were asked to share their thoughts on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the International Cricket Council (ICC), and Indian cricket. While most players provided standard responses, Steve Smith stood out with his witty and candid answers.
Players like Pat Cummins, Alex Carey, Nathan Lyon, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, and Glenn Maxwell described the BCCI with words like “powerful” and “the powerhouse.” However, Smith’s remarks added a humorous twist to the otherwise diplomatic session. Initially, he referred to the ICC as “not as powerful,” before quickly clarifying that he was joking and couldn’t genuinely make such a statement about the apex cricketing body. Revising his response, Smith labeled the ICC as “leaders.” Here’s a glimpse of what the Australian players had to say:
Pat Cummins: “Big, Big, Big”
Travis Head: “Rulers, Second, Strong”
Usman Khawaja: “Strong, ICC, Talented”
Nathan Lyon: “Big, Boss, Passionate”
Glenn Maxwell: “Powerful, Boss, Fanatic”
Alex Carey: “Powerful, Trophy, Powerful”
Steve Smith: “Powerhouse, Leaders, Passionate”
ALSO READ: “It was grabbed avidly with the excuse of team balance” – Sunil Gavaskar slams team management
The video of their responses has since gone viral, highlighting the growing acknowledgment of India’s influence in cricket.
🤭 Describe the BCCI, the ICC and Indian cricket in one word….
Don’t worry everyone, Smudge was just jokin! pic.twitter.com/AxJZJT15P8
— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) December 23, 2024
Over the last two decades, the BCCI has emerged as a financial and administrative giant in the cricketing world. From launching the Indian Premier League (IPL), which has reshaped franchise-based T20 cricket, to hosting marquee international tournaments, the BCCI has consistently driven the sport’s global evolution. Even players from cricketing strongholds like Australia couldn’t help but acknowledge its impact.
ALSO READ: “They’re not worrying about the future as much” – Mark Waugh slams player selection for BGT
Recently, Jay Shah, former BCCI secretary, became the youngest ICC chairman at 35, succeeding Greg Barclay. His appointment underscores India’s dominance in cricket administration, placing him alongside prominent Indian leaders like Sharad Pawar and N Srinivasan, who have previously chaired the ICC.
