With the same intentions except with more focus on travelling fans, it's no coincidence that all of England's group games were split between 2 of the UK's biggest tourist destinations in the region. Announcing the fixtures only 5 months in advance wouldn't have helped though (although with the gross incompetence shown in the scheduling of the CT and 2023 WC that seems to now be becoming a trend).
-
Contact the PP Team
Is the Indian team getting an unfair advantage in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 by playing all its matches in Dubai?
- Thread starter Rajdeep
- Start date
With the same intentions except with more focus on travelling fans, it's no coincidence that all of England's group games were split between 2 of the UK's biggest tourist destinations in the region. Announcing the fixtures only 5 months in advance wouldn't have helped though (although with the gross incompetence shown in the scheduling of the CT and 2023 WC that seems to now be becoming a trend).
The only main ICC tournament is ODI world cup which India hosted in 2023 and it needed to travel for all matches(thousands of km from one city to other) unlike other teams ...If India being a host of main ICC tournament wanted to get unfair advantage it would have played in two or three stadiums where semifinal and final match was allocated.. Don't be an envious person , it's gentle mans game afterall..
stani_pak
Tape Ball Star
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2023
- Runs
- 833
Yes 2023, India played games in different locations, and that was the right thing to do, but you can't deny what the examples I gave that India has been given an unfair advantage
You mean to say other teams which haven't travelled that much gained unfair advantage in that world cup tournament..??
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2023
- Runs
- 30,510
Adam Zampa, speaking to reporters ahead of the clash against India in the semi-final:
"Obviously, we've had a bit of a hectic schedule, playing a couple of games in Pakistan, back and forth, in between cities. But with the nature of this tournament, not knowing where we are for this first semi-final, it's kind of nice to get here, we've got a great facility here. Changes it up a little bit as well. So the boys are feeling OK about it."
"Obviously, we've had a bit of a hectic schedule, playing a couple of games in Pakistan, back and forth, in between cities. But with the nature of this tournament, not knowing where we are for this first semi-final, it's kind of nice to get here, we've got a great facility here. Changes it up a little bit as well. So the boys are feeling OK about it."
India played at the same amount of grounds as fellow finalists Australia in the 2023 world cup.
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2023
- Runs
- 30,510
Sourav Ganguly, however, had a fitting reply to the critics while speaking at an event:
"The pitches in Pakistan are much better. India would've scored more runs there."
"The pitches in Pakistan are much better. India would've scored more runs there."
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2023
- Runs
- 30,510
Steve Smith told reporters at the pre-match press conference ahead of the clash against India in the semi-final:
"In terms of an advantage, yeah, maybe, I'm not sure. Yeah, India obviously played all their games here. So they've seen what the surface is doing. Obviously, the whole square block's pretty dry."
"Having spoken to the groundsman just now, it's a dry surface, had a lot of traffic. So we've seen how the wickets are played. And India have obviously played really well in their games as well. So it's going to be a good contest. We're looking forward to it."
"We guessed right in the end. Ideal to be here and have a couple of days preparation. I think had we stayed and waited for last night's result, we would have had to have flown here today and played tomorrow, not get a chance to train on the surface or get used to the conditions that we have at the academy."
"And if we had to go back, we would have just got on the same plane back as New Zealand and had a day there before playing. So it made sense to us."
"In terms of an advantage, yeah, maybe, I'm not sure. Yeah, India obviously played all their games here. So they've seen what the surface is doing. Obviously, the whole square block's pretty dry."
"Having spoken to the groundsman just now, it's a dry surface, had a lot of traffic. So we've seen how the wickets are played. And India have obviously played really well in their games as well. So it's going to be a good contest. We're looking forward to it."
"We guessed right in the end. Ideal to be here and have a couple of days preparation. I think had we stayed and waited for last night's result, we would have had to have flown here today and played tomorrow, not get a chance to train on the surface or get used to the conditions that we have at the academy."
"And if we had to go back, we would have just got on the same plane back as New Zealand and had a day there before playing. So it made sense to us."
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2023
- Runs
- 30,510
Heinrich Klaasen, while speaking to a South African media outlet:
“Look, we knew that was a big possibility that we might fly up and down. So yeah, there's nothing really too (un)common about it. It's not ideal for the bodies, but at least we had some time to get out and walk around and get loose. I actually just had some nice steak to be fair.”
“But other than that, we knew it's going to happen and it's part of the scheduling. So two teams had to do it and unfortunately, we were one of them. We haven't really travelled a lot in this competition. It was obviously just a crazy 18 hours, to be fair.”
“Look, we knew that was a big possibility that we might fly up and down. So yeah, there's nothing really too (un)common about it. It's not ideal for the bodies, but at least we had some time to get out and walk around and get loose. I actually just had some nice steak to be fair.”
“But other than that, we knew it's going to happen and it's part of the scheduling. So two teams had to do it and unfortunately, we were one of them. We haven't really travelled a lot in this competition. It was obviously just a crazy 18 hours, to be fair.”
Did anyone force any team to agree to it by putting a gun ?? PCB agreed to it right ?? Agreements made "before" the CT started. So why the constant moaning whining now ? Maybe you should write a letter to PCB instead and complain as they agreed to it instead of having a spine. Blaming the wrong person here.
stani_pak
Tape Ball Star
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2023
- Runs
- 833
PCB had no choice, they wanted to host the Champions trophy and where in there right too but the only way the tourney can go on was with India playing. BCCI created this mess and are the ones to blame, no one else.
Why dont you just admit then , PCB didnt have the b**** to go ahead without Ind. See , it is all getting futile , going roundabouts. You know what the deal is here, everyone knows , so folks can just move on. PCB wanted ICC funds which are non existent if Ind doesnt play. No pride issue , ego issue here - its all about the dollars PCB will get if Ind is in the CT. Right or wrong ? Fair or moral? Well, thats the PCB's job to decide what they wanted to do and I guess they already made that call.
Yes australia is exception like India but pakistan was given unfair advantage by playing only in five stadiums compared to eight of India..
jnaveen1980
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2016
- Runs
- 43,935
A dancer blaming the stage for poor dancing is essentially shifting responsibility away from their own performance by attributing their mistakes or lackluster execution to external factors like the stage's design, surface, or lighting, rather than acknowledging potential issues with their technique, preparation, or mental state; this can be seen as a way to avoid self-criticism or accountability for a subpar performance.
That is what going on.
That is what going on.
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 28,743
This should end the debate about advantage etc.
India performed well in all departments and that is why they are winning...simple.
We changed the pitch on the morning of semis and played on a used wicket. And let’s not forget t20 World Cup that happened in uae 2-3 yrs back. Every single country played day and D&N matches in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabu but one country played all its matches as day and night matches in Dubai only.
AZulfi
Local Club Captain
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2011
- Runs
- 2,429
- Post of the Week
- 1
Another conspiracy theory! These are just lame excuses. Did England gain any advantage by playing their first two games at the same venue (Lahore)? They still got beaten by Afghanistan.
India is one of the top two to three teams in world cricket and would have made the semis regardless of where they had played their games.
India is one of the top two to three teams in world cricket and would have made the semis regardless of where they had played their games.
Ok India is devil and others are angels ...Get rid of India and play in your fairyland ..Atleast you people will have peace and we will wish peace upon you..
cricketjoshila
Test Captain
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2011
- Runs
- 47,700
- Post of the Week
- 1
What has vacation got to do with anything here?
All teams in WI played their group games at two venues. England did nothing different.
Is this another attempt to big up English Cricket?
The other day you posted half truths regards to valuation of the hundred and IPL teams.
Any which way you try, neither Pakistan nor England can hold a candle to BCCIs financial contribution to the ICC.
Do you really need it explained to you how playing in major English tourist destinations could be beneficial to crowds for England games? It's not rocket science... The selection of venues whenever England visit the West Indies (whether bilateral or for a tournament) is always done pretty clearly considering that factor.
cricketjoshila
Test Captain
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2011
- Runs
- 47,700
- Post of the Week
- 1
What has vacation got to do with anything here?
All teams in WI played their group games at two venues. England did nothing different.
Is this another attempt to big up English Cricket?
The other day you posted half truths regards to valuation of the hundred and the IPL teams.
What mess? BCCI simply told the ICC it won't travel to Pakistan. ICC could have played the CT without India. But no, they need India's money.
cricketjoshila
Test Captain
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2011
- Runs
- 47,700
- Post of the Week
- 1
This isn't a bilateral series. This is a ICC event. Other teams too played at that venue.
There is no could be would be here.
You are just trying to make up reasons to big up English Crickets financial contribution.
Just like you tried to big up valuation of the hundred teams.
If you don't believe the venues whenever England visit the West Indies are carefully selected to maximise visiting fans then you're even more clueless than you let on.
Bhaijaan
Hall of Famer
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2011
- Runs
- 63,292
- Post of the Week
- 1
All the crybaby rondu fans,
Please come here and do your thing.
Please come here and do your thing.
hoshiarpurexpress
First Class Captain
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2020
- Runs
- 5,765
let the sook begin.
YousafTheBeast
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2018
- Runs
- 6,399
Yes India had an unfair advantage, and if any Indian disagrees with that then they’re clearly delusional.
However, they still had to play well to win, had you given Pakistan the advantages that India had, then we still would’ve lost all 3 games.
However, they still had to play well to win, had you given Pakistan the advantages that India had, then we still would’ve lost all 3 games.
Bhaijaan
Hall of Famer
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2011
- Runs
- 63,292
- Post of the Week
- 1
YousafTheBeast
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2018
- Runs
- 6,399
If you were an Indian captain, and your team had the option of either travelling to the host country (England) to play in London, Manchester and Cardiff, or to play all your group stage games in a neutral venue, with no travelling between cities, not having to adjust to different conditions, longer rest days, and to play against an opponent that would have had only 1-2 days to get used to the conditions…what would you choose?
Bhaag Viru Bhaag
Senior Test Player
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2013
- Runs
- 27,314
Second option.
Bhaijaan
Hall of Famer
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2011
- Runs
- 63,292
- Post of the Week
- 1
stani_pak
Tape Ball Star
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2023
- Runs
- 833
India is a strong team, their is no doubting, that but giving a strong team, the big advantage of playing all there games in 1 stadium is just crazy, but this is what has been done or planned alright, nothing we fans can do.
jnaveen1980
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2016
- Runs
- 43,935
This is like 1000th time you are saying this. We get your point. Final will be over in afew days.
It's true. When was the last time ENG played a Test in Jamaica, Guyana or Trinidad ?
CWI always award the hosting rights to the more tourist friendly islands like Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia/Grenada.
stani_pak
Tape Ball Star
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2023
- Runs
- 833
And I will keep saying it.
JaDed
Test Star
- Joined
- May 5, 2014
- Runs
- 37,968
Would it had mattered if they played all over UAE?
stani_pak
Tape Ball Star
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2023
- Runs
- 833
Yes if they had played in 2 different venues it would look proper playing in in 1 location looks suspect.
Would be saying this if India had lost it's matches?
stani_pak
Tape Ball Star
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2023
- Runs
- 833
I have been seeing it since before the matches started, look advantage does not mean you win 100 percent but it gives you a stronger chance to win, it could have been possible India lost all 3 matches as an example, but getting the advantage or favor is not right, regardless of the results.
jnaveen1980
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2016
- Runs
- 43,935
Why? Whining about venue is like dancer whining about stage instead of skill. They played on 3 different pitches. Not all behave the same.
During the CWC2023 India had to travel to a different ground and city for every consecutive match which meant travelling from Delhi to Chennai and Ahmedabad to Kolkata. Whilst all the other teams played in almost 2 games at each venue. Pak played 2 matches in Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad etc. In Pakistan even played its practice matches in Hyderabad and then its first 2 league matches in Hyderabad too. But everything was fair and square then.
Rohit should thank his stars for having lost all his tosses else allegations of toss fixing would have cropped up. Imagine if Rohit has won 4 tosses in a row. People like Sikander Bhakt would be jumping as to why the camera doesn't show the coin as a proof.
No wonder Pakistan and England teams are down in the dumps as these fans and (english) players are busy crying over India.
It funny that India is being pointed out as the sole beneficiary whereas all the teams played in 1 venue twice in Pakistan too. NZ and SA ven played a tri-series just before the CT2025. Why do they not get tagged as undue advantage?
Rohit should thank his stars for having lost all his tosses else allegations of toss fixing would have cropped up. Imagine if Rohit has won 4 tosses in a row. People like Sikander Bhakt would be jumping as to why the camera doesn't show the coin as a proof.
No wonder Pakistan and England teams are down in the dumps as these fans and (english) players are busy crying over India.
It funny that India is being pointed out as the sole beneficiary whereas all the teams played in 1 venue twice in Pakistan too. NZ and SA ven played a tri-series just before the CT2025. Why do they not get tagged as undue advantage?
stani_pak
Tape Ball Star
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2023
- Runs
- 833
doesnt matter, their is slight difference, its not about changing pitches, it also about travel time, teams had to from Pakistan to Dubai and vice versa, if your playing at the same ground all your matches, you get familiar with the different pitches as well, and there was not a massive difference in the pitches.
stani_pak
Tape Ball Star
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2023
- Runs
- 833
I meant to mention I type fast, that when your playing all your matches in the same ground, you practice at that very ground and get a feel for all different pitches, but again there was not a big difference in pitches.
jnaveen1980
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2016
- Runs
- 43,935
Hyou don't get familiar with pitches until you play. India picked a wrong team today. It helped seamers more than spinners. Playing on same "ground" will give you zero advantage. PItch determines what team you pick, how you play. Travel time is an useless excuse. This is such as short tournament. Players are used to travel between cities during league cricket, world cups, world T20. You are not going to moon. England played on the same ground back to back. Did they win? Good teams win anywhere anytime.
Factually wrong. Indian team practicing in ICC academy and not on any of the pitches on the actual ground. There was a difference in pitches too.
BDfanforever
First Class Star
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2008
- Runs
- 3,219
Just play the final in Lahore. Pak is the host but feels IND is hosting. Should be quick in and out with high security for team IND lol.
stani_pak
Tape Ball Star
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2023
- Runs
- 833
Indians where complaining about world cup 2023 about travelling, and England had 2 matches in the same ground, India has 5 matches in the same ground, I get what your saying about the pitches, but there really was not a big difference in the pitches in Dubai. If you do not want to accept it, thats fine, also advantage does not mean 100 percent, your team will win, India played good cricket yes, but they also had the advantage of playing on the same pitch, that does have to be factored in. Regardless best of luck in the final.
TheNeutralist
Tape Ball Regular
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2013
- Runs
- 311
All the other cricket boards had to raise this question during scheduling of CT 2025. I dont think any discussion now would help.
globetrotter
Local Club Star
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2023
- Runs
- 2,097
England travelled 15226 kms to play Australia in Australia and they least the series to Australia. Will England say Australia have undue advantage of playing at home as they also travelled 15226kms?
jnaveen1980
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2016
- Runs
- 43,935
"No big difference in pitch" i disagree. India picked the wrong team. That should tell you even they were not sure what the pitch would do. Pitch reading is a lottery. They assumed it would help spinners. But start to end there was hardly any turn.They played against BD and NZ on the same pitch. They played against Pakistan on a different pitch. Characteristics of the pitch was different. Semi final pitch was a fresh pitch. Assuming there is a "massive imaginary" advantage it will only be 2% or so. Not a game changing advantage.
Secondly and most importantly this is the practical way possible for PCB to host a hybrid-model event as the logistics, expense, ticketing will be a major headache if they decided to host in different venues. PCB will have to bear the travel expenses. Also hosting it one place allow Indian fans to attend all the matches staying in one place. So the trade off is not worth it. Handing over 2% advantage to india is a better option. There is a reason why this subject was not raised by anyone 3 months back. Nobody considered it as an advantage other than some extra convenience for India.
Vikram1989
First Class Star
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2022
- Runs
- 3,404
Ironically those are the pitches where India practiced and knocked out in 21 t20wc
Savak
Test Captain
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2006
- Runs
- 49,289
- Post of the Week
- 3
No unfair advantage. To win all games is a hurculean achievement. They have been the best side in the competition. If they played in Pakistan, they would have comfortably posted 400-450 run totals and their bowling is good enough to restrict oppositions to 250.
If Pakistan played all their games in the UAE, they would mess up very badly.
If Pakistan played all their games in the UAE, they would mess up very badly.
Hikaru
Tape Ball Star
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2024
- Runs
- 697
There is an advantage but it was never an evil BCCI plot. It's a side-effect of the hybrid model all sides agreed to. People should feel free to add as many asterisks to Bharat's victories though, we are used to it by now. 
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 28,743
That is why they are called home and away series.... Huge difference bro... Not the right example to give here..
But anyways, India was the better team and they won. Cannot keep calling it an advantage because India deserved to win.
Hitman
Test Debutant
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2013
- Runs
- 16,123
Last edited by a moderator:
globetrotter
Local Club Star
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2023
- Runs
- 2,097
Then India also not calling Dubai as their Home…. Pls tell which team called as their home?
Reposting this for all Pak and Ban posters .. Care to explain this ?? Did Aus have an unfair advantage?? Such silly illogical irrational logic. No wonder Pak team has the same mentality and is at the bottom of the barrel. Top level sport is only for elite teams who are professional and dont believe in silly nonsense like this.
To all posters here who claim Ind has a Dubai advantage - want your answer to this - highlighted critical portions below ::
News : Fresh pitch in Dubai for India-Australia semi-final
To all posters here who claim Ind has a Dubai advantage - want your answer to this - highlighted critical portions below ::
News : Fresh pitch in Dubai for India-Australia semi-final
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 28,743
Who said india is calling it home... I am just saying that India won fair and square.. India was also playing away from home anyways...
If India had gone to Pak then they would have played all their games in Lahore so it’s not a big deal. They also had only two days between the New Zealand game and the Semi so there was a disadvantage there so it works both ways. A team has to play well to win, they played well and deserved to go through.
cricketjoshila
Test Captain
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2011
- Runs
- 47,700
- Post of the Week
- 1
If India had travelled to Pakistan, the new excuse for whining would be why India played all its matches in Lahore.
The main problem is India has reached the finals. None of this would have mattered of India had done poorly in the tournament.
The main problem is India has reached the finals. None of this would have mattered of India had done poorly in the tournament.
Correct, because that still would have been an unfair advantage.
Yes, if a team fails to capitalise on an unfair advantage it will generally be mentioned less.
rpant_gabba
Local Club Captain
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2023
- Runs
- 2,220
I think the correct solution is for cricket to move forward without either India or Pakistan. Otherwise Pak is going to continue to get humiliated on and off the field.
Well will not top on field humiliation, but off field PCB and Pak will have their honor and dignity
cricketjoshila
Test Captain
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2011
- Runs
- 47,700
- Post of the Week
- 1
The solution therefore is to play either without India or Pakistan. So that pakistani fans don't get a reason to cry.
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2023
- Runs
- 30,510
Shami admits playing at one venue ‘definitely helps’ finalists India
India pace spearhead Mohammed Shami has broken ranks by admitting that playing all their Champions Trophy games at one venue in Dubai has been to their advantage.
Shami returned figures of 3-48 to set up India’s four-wicket win over Australia in the semi-finals on Tuesday in Dubai.
India coach Gautam Gambhir afterwards lashed out at critics who have said playing at the same Dubai International Cricket Stadium each time is unfair.
India refused to travel to Champions Trophy hosts Pakistan over unspecified reasons and have won all four of their games at their temporary home.
They will face South Africa or New Zealand in Sunday’s final, again in Dubai.
The other seven teams in the ODI competition have meanwhile had to shuttle between three Pakistani cities and the UAE.
“It definitely helped us because we know the conditions and the behaviour of the pitch,” Shami said Tuesday after his pivotal role in beating Australia.
“It is a plus point that you are playing all the matches at one venue.”
As part of the hybrid arrangement of the tournament, South Africa were forced to travel to Dubai, only to return to Pakistan again less than 24 hours later without playing a game.
India are unbeaten in the 10 ODIs they have played in Dubai, winning nine.
India pace spearhead Mohammed Shami has broken ranks by admitting that playing all their Champions Trophy games at one venue in Dubai has been to their advantage.
Shami returned figures of 3-48 to set up India’s four-wicket win over Australia in the semi-finals on Tuesday in Dubai.
India coach Gautam Gambhir afterwards lashed out at critics who have said playing at the same Dubai International Cricket Stadium each time is unfair.
India refused to travel to Champions Trophy hosts Pakistan over unspecified reasons and have won all four of their games at their temporary home.
They will face South Africa or New Zealand in Sunday’s final, again in Dubai.
The other seven teams in the ODI competition have meanwhile had to shuttle between three Pakistani cities and the UAE.
“It definitely helped us because we know the conditions and the behaviour of the pitch,” Shami said Tuesday after his pivotal role in beating Australia.
“It is a plus point that you are playing all the matches at one venue.”
As part of the hybrid arrangement of the tournament, South Africa were forced to travel to Dubai, only to return to Pakistan again less than 24 hours later without playing a game.
India are unbeaten in the 10 ODIs they have played in Dubai, winning nine.
Shami admits playing at one venue ‘definitely helps’ finalists India
Indian coach Gautam Gambhir lashes out at critics who say playing at the same stadium each time is unfair.
www.dawn.com
Shafikapeo
Debutant
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2024
- Runs
- 59
Agreed, if someone says that India has no advantage, they are outright lying. If a team plays continuously on the same ground, they get an understanding of the pitch and conditions. However, saying that India is playing on its home ground and a familiar pitch is incorrect.
In India, flat wickets are usually prepared, where swing bowlers and spinners get some initial assistance. But the pitches in Dubai are hard and slow, similar to those in Mirpur, Bangladesh. In Dubai, the team that can rotate the strike well and take singles and doubles will win.
The disadvantage for other teams is that after playing on Pakistan’s flat pitches, adjusting their playing style to suit Dubai’s conditions is proving difficult.
As for whether India would have fielded the same 15 players if they had gone to Pakistan—yes, I believe these same 15 players would have been selected.
Bhaag Viru Bhaag
Senior Test Player
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2013
- Runs
- 27,314
globetrotter
Local Club Star
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2023
- Runs
- 2,097
Indian team is staying at one hotel since CT25 started, also their hotel butler, staff, waiters, Bus drivers are same. Indian team is getting undue advantage of staying at one hotel
saimayubera
Tape Ball Regular
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2024
- Runs
- 470
This will happen in 15-20 years anyway. I see the IPL becoming bigger and bigger with all the other leagues being owned by the IPL owners and turned into feeder leagues. It will become like the EPL, NBA etc with gaps for internationals.I think the correct solution is for cricket to move forward without either India or Pakistan. Otherwise Pak is going to continue to get humiliated on and off the field.
Well will not top on field humiliation, but off field PCB and Pak will have their honor and dignity
manzoor.syed
Debutant
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2017
- Runs
- 32
The ICC’s favoritism towards the BCCI has never been more obvious than in this tournament. The entire scheduling reeks of an attempt to give India every possible advantage, and this move to hold all of India’s games in Dubai just reinforces the idea that the ICC is little more than an extension of the BCCI. It’s one thing to ensure a strong cricketing powerhouse like India has good facilities, but to outright hand them a tailored path to the trophy? That’s beyond ridiculous.
Let’s break it down. When India hosted the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE due to COVID-19, they had three perfectly functional venues—Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Matches were distributed across these stadiums, keeping the tournament competitive and ensuring fair conditions for all teams. But this time? Suddenly, ICC seems to have “forgotten” that the UAE has multiple grounds. Why? Because Dubai historically offers the best batting conditions, and guess which team benefits the most from that?
Sharjah, known for its unpredictable pitches and lower-scoring games, could have been a nightmare for India’s stroke players, especially against a disciplined bowling attack like Bangladesh’s. Abu Dhabi, which historically has assisted pacers and made chasing tricky, could have thrown a real challenge against a well-rounded New Zealand side. But no, India conveniently plays every single game in Dubai—the most batting-friendly, high-scoring ground in the UAE—ensuring their top-order doesn’t struggle with any tricky conditions.
And where were the other seven boards? How did they not raise an issue with this blatant favoritism? Either they were ignored, or they were too spineless to stand up to the financial muscle of the BCCI. Because let’s be honest—when the BCCI speaks, the ICC listens. India’s unmatched revenue generation for global cricket means their demands are rarely questioned, even when it comes at the expense of a fair tournament.
A more neutral, fair schedule should have seen
VS Bangladesh (Sharjah)
India facing Bangladesh in Sharjah, where tougher batting conditions and Bangladesh’s spinners could have been a real threat.
VS Pakistan (Dubai)
Their clash with Pakistan could have stayed in Dubai for the sake of maximizing audience and revenue, but that’s it.
VS NZ (Abu Dhabi)
The match against New Zealand should have been played in Abu Dhabi, a venue that offers assistance to both batters and bowlers, making it an even contest.
Semi final (Abu Dhabi)*
If India made it to the semi-finals, they should have had to play in Abu Dhabi, preventing any guaranteed Dubai boost.
Final (Dubai)*
Only if they fairly earned their way to the final should they have played it in Dubai, as finals are usually held at premier venues.
This setup would have added much-needed variety and fairness to the tournament. But instead, ICC handed India a smooth ride on a silver platter.
It’s not even subtle anymore. The BCCI’s influence over the ICC is at an all-time high, and this is just another example of how tournaments are being tailored to favor India. If this trend continues, what’s next? A T20 World Cup where India gets to pick their own venues and opponents? Because at this rate, we’re not far from that reality.
Let’s break it down. When India hosted the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE due to COVID-19, they had three perfectly functional venues—Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Matches were distributed across these stadiums, keeping the tournament competitive and ensuring fair conditions for all teams. But this time? Suddenly, ICC seems to have “forgotten” that the UAE has multiple grounds. Why? Because Dubai historically offers the best batting conditions, and guess which team benefits the most from that?
Sharjah, known for its unpredictable pitches and lower-scoring games, could have been a nightmare for India’s stroke players, especially against a disciplined bowling attack like Bangladesh’s. Abu Dhabi, which historically has assisted pacers and made chasing tricky, could have thrown a real challenge against a well-rounded New Zealand side. But no, India conveniently plays every single game in Dubai—the most batting-friendly, high-scoring ground in the UAE—ensuring their top-order doesn’t struggle with any tricky conditions.
And where were the other seven boards? How did they not raise an issue with this blatant favoritism? Either they were ignored, or they were too spineless to stand up to the financial muscle of the BCCI. Because let’s be honest—when the BCCI speaks, the ICC listens. India’s unmatched revenue generation for global cricket means their demands are rarely questioned, even when it comes at the expense of a fair tournament.
A more neutral, fair schedule should have seen
VS Bangladesh (Sharjah)
India facing Bangladesh in Sharjah, where tougher batting conditions and Bangladesh’s spinners could have been a real threat.
VS Pakistan (Dubai)
Their clash with Pakistan could have stayed in Dubai for the sake of maximizing audience and revenue, but that’s it.
VS NZ (Abu Dhabi)
The match against New Zealand should have been played in Abu Dhabi, a venue that offers assistance to both batters and bowlers, making it an even contest.
Semi final (Abu Dhabi)*
If India made it to the semi-finals, they should have had to play in Abu Dhabi, preventing any guaranteed Dubai boost.
Final (Dubai)*
Only if they fairly earned their way to the final should they have played it in Dubai, as finals are usually held at premier venues.
This setup would have added much-needed variety and fairness to the tournament. But instead, ICC handed India a smooth ride on a silver platter.
It’s not even subtle anymore. The BCCI’s influence over the ICC is at an all-time high, and this is just another example of how tournaments are being tailored to favor India. If this trend continues, what’s next? A T20 World Cup where India gets to pick their own venues and opponents? Because at this rate, we’re not far from that reality.
shah9425
Tape Ball Captain
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2021
- Runs
- 1,217
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2023
- Runs
- 30,510
Kane Williamson, in the post-match press conference after defeating South Africa in the Champions Trophy semifinal:
"Yeah definitely the conditions are a lot different but you know that's sort of the nature of the beast I think in any tournament that you have, conditions change a little bit throughout. For us, it was nice to have that last match against India. There's some really good bits there. India are an outstanding team and playing really well. So, look, it's important we try and take away some learnings from that last game. Park this match, and in a final, anything can happen. And it was a great atmosphere last game and I'm sure it'll be a good one again."
"It is what it is (India playing in Dubai). Our focus is the next match, the location of that match, the opposition, they're all factors. Obviously, we played India there once. The conditions are different, so it's important that we try and take away some of those positives and be nice and clear in how we're trying to operate come two- or three-days’ time in the final. It's the nature of it and we're looking forward to the final and excited about it."
"Yeah definitely the conditions are a lot different but you know that's sort of the nature of the beast I think in any tournament that you have, conditions change a little bit throughout. For us, it was nice to have that last match against India. There's some really good bits there. India are an outstanding team and playing really well. So, look, it's important we try and take away some learnings from that last game. Park this match, and in a final, anything can happen. And it was a great atmosphere last game and I'm sure it'll be a good one again."
"It is what it is (India playing in Dubai). Our focus is the next match, the location of that match, the opposition, they're all factors. Obviously, we played India there once. The conditions are different, so it's important that we try and take away some of those positives and be nice and clear in how we're trying to operate come two- or three-days’ time in the final. It's the nature of it and we're looking forward to the final and excited about it."
raj_milan
Debutant
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2025
- Runs
- 4
All this complaining about Dubai is mainly because India reached the finals. If I'm not mistaken, the PCB originally proposed that India play all their matches in Lahore and return to the border after each game. So, how is playing in one venue in Dubai any different?
Is traveling first class from Pakistan to Dubai and back, with a flight duration of just 1.5 hours, really that tiring for the New Zealand players or SA players? Naseer Hussain and Atherton throw a fit every time India wins a game—imagine the tantrums if India wins two global tournaments in the span of two years!
Is traveling first class from Pakistan to Dubai and back, with a flight duration of just 1.5 hours, really that tiring for the New Zealand players or SA players? Naseer Hussain and Atherton throw a fit every time India wins a game—imagine the tantrums if India wins two global tournaments in the span of two years!
BDfanforever
First Class Star
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2008
- Runs
- 3,219
The problem isnt having the advantage of playing in the same field itself. IND is a top tier team, they would get to final by hook or crook anyway. The problem is BCCI dominance, dictating it's own terms, and monopoly.
Problem isn't bcci dominance. Problem is other boards' incompetence
Aang_The_last_airbender
First Class Star
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2024
- Runs
- 3,280
We are 0-2 against NZ in ICC finals yaarWe will smash Kiwis. Agent Rachin dont like to score against Bharat
Aang_The_last_airbender
First Class Star
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2024
- Runs
- 3,280
Pakistan and Bangladesh are almost 400 million and similar GDP per capita as India. What's preventing them from exercising their economic might to put BCCI on lower standing. ECB and CA will love someone else to associate with over the monopoly diktats of BCCI.
Similar threads
- Poll
