Indian fans rip apart Ian Botham after comments on IPL and BCCI's financial power: 'How dare brown India...'

Indian fans lashed out at England cricket legend Ian Botham as the former star blamed the Indian Premier League for the worsening health of West Indies cricket, and spoke about how the BCCI must look to distribute some of its wealth. The BCCI generates approximately 85% of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) TV revenue, but receives only 38.5% from the central pool.

The financial might of BCCI was recently discussed on the podcast The Overlap: Stick to Cricket, where Ian Botham was the latest guest alongside Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook, David Lloyd and Phil Tufnell.

Indian fans tear into Ian Botham

While discussing various cricketing matters, Vaughan asked Botham whether he feels "India have too much power?"

In reply, the former England captain agreed with Vaughan, while also suggesting that they must look to share some of the wealth they generate.

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When asked by Lloyd about the poor condition of cricket in the Caribbean islands, Botham blamed the IPL for its downfall.

"I think the reason is that the best players in the Caribbean nowadays are going to the IPL and other formats because they're not getting paid the amount they should be," Botham said.

This did not go down well with Indian fans, who accused the former England cricketer of jealousy when the board from his country also enjoyed similar benefits when it headed the cricketing world.

"Interesting. Nobody seemed worried when England practically treated world cricket as its PRIVATE CLUB, hosted World Cups on repeat, & expected everyone else to be GRATEFUL for an invitation," a popular handle named The Analyzer from India said.

Another fan said, "Botham should distribute all his wealth and earnings."

A fan argued that Botham's comments reek of racism.

"Ahhhh White People Ian Botham can speak for world cricket but how dare brown India speak for itself. @ECB_cricket should explain to Ian that India is not longer a British colony. He can be thankful we are not asking England cricket to bear the consequences of his loose talk."