All teams in Pakistan rotate between Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, India remains stationed in Dubai.
Should a global tournament offer a level playing field for all teams? Australian captain Pat Cummins has stirred fresh controversy, questioning the fairness of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where India plays all its matches in Dubai while other teams travel across multiple venues in Pakistan.
India’s Fixed Venue Raises Eyebrows
Having opted out of the tournament due to an ankle injury and family commitments, Cummins pointed out the competitive imbalance created by India’s single-venue schedule. “It’s great that the tournament is going ahead, but playing every match in the same stadium gives them a huge advantage,” he told Yahoo Sports Australia. “They’re already a strong team, and this only strengthens their position.”
Hybrid Model Sparks Criticism
Originally, the ICC planned to host all matches in Pakistan, but security concerns led to a hybrid format after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to send its team across the border. As a result, while teams in Pakistan rotate between Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, India remains stationed in Dubai.
Despite the controversy, India has dominated Group A, securing a semifinal berth alongside New Zealand after convincing wins over Bangladesh and Pakistan. Adding to the concerns, India’s semifinal is also scheduled in Dubai, reinforcing the competitive advantage Cummins highlighted.
Cummins Set for Comeback as Australia Impresses
With Cummins absent, Steve Smith has captained Australia to a commanding victory over England in Lahore. Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis starred with an unbeaten 120 off 86 balls, leading Australia to a successful 352-run chase.
Reflecting on his break, Cummins said, “It’s been great to be home, and my ankle rehab is going well. I’ll start running and bowling this week, and there’s plenty to look forward to with the IPL, the Test Championship, and the West Indies tour.”
The Australian skipper is set to return next month, leading SunRisers Hyderabad in the IPL starting March 22. Meanwhile, with the tournament entering its crucial knockout stage, Cummins’ remarks have reignited debates over India’s venue advantage, placing ICC’s hybrid model under intense scrutiny.