‘Why now?’: Sunil Gavaskar questions timing of Super 8 pre-seeding row at T20 World Cup
Times of India
by TOI SPORTS DESKFebruary 22, 2026
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The Super 8 stage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup has sparked controversy over its pre-seeding format, with fans criticizing how teams were grouped. Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has questioned why this issue has gained attention now, suggesting it should have been raised earlier. He pointed out that logistical challenges, including international travel and venue management across multiple countries, make last-minute changes difficult.
Gavaskar emphasized the complexities of organizing a tournament with teams from various nations, highlighting factors like differing support staff sizes and hotel room requirements. These details need to be planned in advance, which is why pre-seeding was necessary. He believed the ICC had valid reasons for setting the groups early, aiming to streamline scheduling.
Critics argue that the current grouping could lead to strong teams being eliminated prematurely, raising concerns about fairness. However, Gavaskar argued that the logistical constraints justified the pre-seeding decision. His perspective adds weight to the idea that such decisions are often made with long-term planning in mind, despite the criticism they may receive.
The T20 World Cup is a global event with significant international interest, making the format's fairness a key issue for fans worldwide. The debate over pre-seeding highlights the balance between organizational logistics and competitive fairness in major tournaments. As the tournament progresses, this discussion will likely continue to evolve, shaping opinions on how such events are structured moving forward.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/22/2026