Το ICC έθεσε άλλες ομάδες σε αποτυχία, δίνοντας στην Ινδία ένα αθέμιτο πλεονέκτημα του "ταξιδιού" στο θρόμβο;

Από τις οκτώ ομάδες που παίζουν στο Trophy Musa Champions, μόνο η Ινδία δεν θα πρέπει να ταξιδέψει σε άλλο μέρος.

Has the International Cricket Council (ICC) given an undue advantage to the India cricket team? Experts, former cricketers, and many fans allege that the already top favourites for the Champions Trophy 2025 have been given preferential treatment by the ICC.

Accusation of India getting unfair advantage at ICC Champions Trophy

The reason for these claims is the venue for Team India’s matches. Unlike the other seven teams, the Men in Blue won’t have to travel anywhere. All of their matches will be at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Therefore, many allege that other teams will face challenges, unlike Team India.

Rohit Sharma and co. won’t have to travel to other venues and they also have a fair idea about how the pitch will play, given they will play at least four matches at the same ground. The travel definitely takes a toll. New Zealand, who are on the same ground as India and has played the same opponents, has travelled a whopping 1,400 kms (from Karachi to Rawalpindi).

Answer to these travel advantage issue

This concern is legitimate. Travelling is taxing. It’s a fair criticism. The only issue is, if ICC is really giving Team India preferential treatment, why did they play 10 venues in the ODI World Cup 2023? Remember, it was a home tournament for India, and no one travelled more than them.

Team India covered a distance of over 15,000 km to play 11 matches. This doesn’t exclude the two warm-up matches in Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram. Add another 2,000 km to that. So those criticising Rohit Sharma and co. may say things look iffy now, but why were they quiet back then?

We all know, the Men in Blue would travel to whichever venue they are being told to play at. They did so in the T20 World Cup 2024. However, due to the tension between India and Pakistan, the ICC was forced to hold the matches in Dubai. No one is at fault here. ICC needs India to play and for that, they have to cater to them.