The Champions Trophy 2025 has turned into a one-sided affair, with former cricketers and analysts slamming the ICC for giving India a massive competitive edge. While other teams endure exhausting travel between Pakistan and the UAE, India sits comfortably in Dubai, playing all their matches at the same venue. Critics argue that this blatant favoritism undermines the tournament’s fairness, making it seem like a trophy designed for India’s convenience.
Why Is This an Advantage?
- No Travel Fatigue – Unlike other teams that have to adjust to different cities, hotels, and playing conditions, India remains in one place, ensuring consistency and less exhaustion.
- Familiar Pitch Conditions – Dubai’s slow, spin-friendly track allows India to strategize better, unlike teams that have to adjust their squad for different conditions in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.
- Tailor-Made Team Selection – Knowing they would play all matches in Dubai, India packed their squad with spinners, which has proven to be a match-winning strategy.
- Semifinal Advantage – India already knows its semifinal venue, whereas other teams have uncertain travel schedules and have to adapt on the go.
Pat Cummins: ‘India Has a Huge Advantage’
The first to publicly call out the imbalance was Australia’s captain Pat Cummins, who, despite missing the tournament due to an ankle injury, highlighted India’s significant advantage.
“It does give them (India) a huge advantage playing on the same ground. They already look very strong, and now they have that added benefit,” Cummins told Yahoo Australia.
Jonathan Agnew: ‘It Makes a Farce of These Tournaments’
Former England cricketer and broadcaster Jonathan Agnew strongly criticized the ICC’s decision, calling it unfair to other teams.
“This is wrong. If you’re going to play an international tournament, you can’t pick and choose where you play,” Agnew told ABC Sport. “I don’t see how long this can carry on. It makes a farce of these tournaments.”
Michael Atherton: ‘India Avoids Travel While Others Struggle’
Former England captain Michael Atherton pointed out that India’s lack of travel gives them an undeniable edge over other teams.
“They don’t have to travel. They don’t have to adjust to different conditions. Other teams have to constantly pick XIs for different venues, while India can plan everything around Dubai’s conditions. That is an advantage, no matter how you look at it,” he said on the Sky Sports Podcast.
Nasser Hussain: ‘Pakistan Is the Host, but India Has the Home Advantage’
Hussain echoed these concerns, arguing that India’s unchallenged comfort in Dubai allows them to strategize better.
“Pakistan is the host, but India has the home advantage. That sums it up,” he said. Unlike England, Pakistan, and Australia, which must adjust their squads for varied conditions, India has custom-built its playing XI around Dubai’s slow, spin-friendly pitches. Their decision to pack the squad with spinners has already paid off, as rival teams struggle with inconsistent track conditions across different cities.
“They are in one place, one hotel, the same dressing room. They don’t have to travel. They knew exactly what Dubai’s conditions would be like, and they picked the perfect team for it. Other teams simply don’t have that luxury,” Hussain added.
A ‘Tailor-Made’ Route to the Trophy?
Another major concern is that India already knows its semifinal venue—a privilege no other team enjoys. Travel schedules, fatigue, and lack of consistent playing conditions put other teams at a distinct disadvantage, forcing them to constantly adjust their strategies.
Hussain admitted that once India refused to tour Pakistan, there were few viable alternatives. However, he questioned whether this Dubai compromise has led to a tournament that favors one team disproportionately.
“Other teams have to fight through travel schedules, different venues, different pitch conditions. Meanwhile, India sits comfortably in Dubai, winning game after game. How is that fair?”
As the tournament progresses, the debate over India’s unquestioned advantage continues to grow, overshadowing the very essence of fair play in international cricket.