The Indian cricket team is facing criticism for playing all of its Champions Trophy 2025 matches in Dubai. The Rohit Sharma-led team decided against traveling to Pakistan for the event, leading to the selection of Dubai International Cricket Stadium as the neutral venue for all India’s games. While India didn’t have to change locations during the tournament, other teams playing against India have had to travel between countries. This situation has led to claims that India gained an ‘unfair advantage’.
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and lead fast bowler Mohammed Shami have presented contrasting opinions on these claims. Cricket analyst Aakash Chopra has pointed out this difference and questioned which of them is correct.
‘What undue advantage?’ Gambhir questioned. ‘We practice at the ICC Academy, where the conditions differ from those at the stadium. Some people are always complaining; they need to mature,’ Gambhir stated after India’s semi-final victory over Australia in the Champions Trophy.
Conversely, Shami believes that playing all matches at a single venue in Dubai has provided the Indian team with a significant advantage in acclimatizing to the conditions and understanding the pitch behavior.
‘It has definitely benefited us because we are familiar with the conditions and the pitch behavior. It’s an advantage to play all games at one location. The key is to assess the conditions and understand the pitch’s characteristics because playing at the same venue allows you to learn it well,’ Shami commented after the match against Australia.
Chopra, noting both statements, shared his perspective on the matter in a video on his YouTube channel.
‘Mohammed Shami says they have an advantage playing in Dubai. Gautam Gambhir retorts, ‘What advantage? Some people just keep complaining; move on.’ But who is correct? Is there a real advantage or not? We are playing all our matches in Dubai,’ Chopra elaborated.
‘There are two sides to this. One is the issue of travel. Is it a problem? I wouldn’t say travel alone is the reason for losing. I acknowledge fatigue exists, but it’s not a decisive factor. This is international cricket,’ he added.
India is scheduled to compete against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 final on March 9. The match will be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
