Former New Zealand opener-turned-umpire Mark Richardson shared interesting views on what facing the Indian team has become like for teams nowadays because of the status that it enjoys in world cricket.
It is no hidden secret that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the richest and most powerful cricket board in the world. The Indian cricket team’s popularity is also unmatched and the players are considered the superstars wherever they go.
With India calling the shots in international cricket and having a major say in game, Richardson feels facing Virat Kohli’s side is like “playing golf against your boss”.
“I’d look at it from who you want to perform individually against. I look at India at the moment and it’s like playing golf against your boss. You’re allowed to win but just in the right way,” Richardson said on Spark Sport.
Virat Kohli’s Indian team will soon lock horns with Kane Williamson’s New Zealand in the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton from June 18.
Richardson, who played 38 Tests and 4 ODIs for his country, also gave referred to New Zealand’s 2-0 Test series win over India in February last year as an example to clarify his point.
Richardson, who became an umpire after a brief 4-year international career between 2000 and 2004, went on to add that the Trans-Tasman rivalry still holds the highest value for New Zealand players and beating Australia remains their top priority.
“England, yes they invented the game and you’re always playing for your place as a cricket team, I guess.
“But Australia to me was like the proving ground for a New Zealand cricketer. You went there to prove your mettle and I did it and I’ll take that to the grave actually. I’d probably still need help over what happened in Australia. I think they still hold it over us. Even the very best have underperformed against Australia,” said Richardson.
