Wasim Akram name-drops IPL as he praises BCCI for India’s success; Vaughan marvels at Men in Blue’s bench strength – Firstpost

Cricket legend Wasim Akram has credited the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for Team India’s recent success in white-ball tournaments, praising the stability of the Indian cricket board and its efficiency.

The Indian cricket team
won the Champions Trophy 2025 by beating New Zealand in the final on Sunday. This was their second consecutive ICC white-ball trophy in as many years after the T20 World Cup win in 2024. India also reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup and the Rohit Sharma-led side has lost only one match in the last 24 matches at ICC tournaments.

Wasim, Vaughan hail BCCI, IPL and Team India

The
dominance of the Indian cricket team has put the spotlight on the management work done by BCCI as the country keeps producing match-winners.

Appearing on the Dressing Room show, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram highlighted the difference between the functioning at BCCI and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as the major reason behind India’s success. He also didn’t forget to mention the role of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which has made BCCI one of the richest sporting bodies in the world.

“They (India) are miles ahead of every team and credit to everyone involved. In BCCI, whoever comes, the policy remains the same. They make a lot of money from IPL, and then that money is distributed among the state associations,” Akram said.

“Even when the chairman or secretary leaves, things don’t change on the ground. The main players on the ground stay the same. If you change everyone, then you will have to start from scratch. Unfortunately, this is what happens in Pakistan. Whoever comes in brings his own team. Please bring your team but don’t sack people who are doing good job.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan also underlined the bench strength of the Indian team on social media as he highlighted that players who are sitting outside are good enough to take their team to an ICC tournament final.

“Jaiswal,Varma,Sharma,Sky,Pant,Reddy,Sundar,Chahal,Arsdeep,Bumrah & Bisnoi …. This team would have made it to the final as well IMO .. The strength in Indian cricket in white ball is off the scale,” Vaughan said on X.