The world of cricket is buzzing following explosive claims from former ICC match referee Chris Broad. He has openly alleged that during his 21 years of service, he was explicitly instructed by the International Cricket Council to be lenient towards India when it came to over-rate offences. Broad’s revelations paint a vivid picture of political influence and India’s ever-growing control within the sport’s governing body, recalling a specific instance where he felt pressured to manipulate timing calculations in India’s favour.
Broad, a former England cricketer, completed a remarkable 21-year stint as an ICC match referee in February 2024, officiating in 622 international matches. However, his departure was not without controversy, as his contract was not renewed. Speaking to The Telegraph, Broad didn’t hold back, disclosing the behind-the-scenes political maneuvering at the ICC and accusing the council of favouring India on multiple occasions, particularly concerning over-rate penalties.
Reflecting on his extensive career, Broad stated, “I was very happy to carry on. But for 20 years, I dodged a lot of bullets, both politically and physically. I look back and I think, ‘you know, 20 years is quite a long time to be doing that job’. I’m pleased not to be travelling to certain parts of the world. And I was always someone who believed in right and wrong and in certain parts of the world it’s a bit like the River Ganges – right and wrong are so far apart and there’s a lot of dirty water in between them that you have to deal with, so I think as someone who comes from a right and wrong perspective, to last 20 years in that politically active environment is a pretty good effort.”
He recounted a particularly telling incident involving then-Indian captain Sourav Ganguly. “India were three, four overs down at the end of a game so it constituted a fine. I got a phone call saying, ‘be lenient, find some time because it’s India’. And it’s like, right, OK. So we had to find some time, brought it down below the threshold. The very next game, exactly the same thing happened. He [Sourav Ganguly] didn’t listen to any of the hurry-ups and so I phoned and said, ‘what do you want me to do now?’ and I was told ‘just do him’. So there were politics involved, right from the start. A lot of the guys now are either politically more savvy or just keeping the head below the parapet. I don’t know.”
Broad further highlighted a significant power shift within the ICC, specifically after the departure of former umpires manager Vince van der Bijl. He voiced deep concern about the current state of the organization and the escalating influence wielded by India. “I think we were supported by Vince van der Bijl while he was in position because he came from a cricketing background but, once he left, the management became a lot weaker. India got all the money and have now taken over the ICC so in many ways. I’m pleased I’m not around because it’s a much more political position now than it ever has been.”