ICC Champions Trophy 2025: ICC bias? England legends question India’s ‘privileged’ Dubai schedule
Xtra Time Web Desk: Former England cricketers Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton believe India holds a major advantage in the ongoing Champions Trophy by playing all their matches at a single venue in Dubai. Unlike other teams that must shuttle between Pakistan and Dubai, India benefits from consistent conditions, which both Hussain and Atherton feel gives them an edge.
India’s fixed venue is a result of the tournament’s hybrid model, introduced after India refused to travel to Pakistan, the original sole host. In response, the International Cricket Council (ICC) restructured the schedule, ensuring all of India’s games take place in Dubai. Speaking to Sky Sports, Hussain and Atherton emphasized how this setup spares India from the fatigue and logistical challenges of traveling and adjusting to different pitches and climates.
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"India playing only in Dubai is a hard-to-quantify advantage, but an undeniable one," Atherton said. "They don’t have to travel between venues or countries like other teams."
Hussain echoed the sentiment, highlighting India’s strategic edge. "It’s an advantage—especially for the best team in the tournament. I saw a tweet the other day: 'Pakistan - host nation, India - home advantage.' That sums it up. India stays in one place, one hotel, one dressing room. They know the pitch well and picked their squad accordingly. They were smart in their selections, likely anticipating Dubai’s conditions," he noted.
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Even in their high-profile clash against Pakistan on February 23, Pakistan had to travel to Dubai, only to suffer a six-wicket defeat. Hussain and Atherton pointed out that India’s ability to tailor their strategy solely to Dubai’s conditions has been a crucial advantage, allowing them to prepare without travel-related disruptions.
Having already secured a semi-final spot with dominant wins over Bangladesh and Pakistan, India’s final group-stage match against New Zealand on March 2 will determine their positioning. So far, their seamless campaign has only reinforced claims that playing at a single venue has worked in their favor.
