Cricket fans are eagerly anticipating the Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand in Dubai. India dominated the tournament, winning all group matches and defeating Australia in the semi-finals, seeking to avenge their 2019 World Cup semi-final loss to the Kiwis. Due to political tensions with Pakistan, India played all their matches in Dubai, leading to criticism regarding an “unfair advantage.” Former cricketer Brad Hogg noted mixed views on this claim, while India’s coach Gautam Gambhir dismissed the idea of advantage, emphasizing the differences in conditions at their practice venue compared to the match site.
Team India in action© AFP
Cricket enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly anticipating the electrifying final of the Champions Trophy 2025 featuring India and New Zealand this Sunday in Dubai. Rohit Sharma and his team have shown formidable dominance throughout the tournament, winning all their group matches and defeating Australia in the semi-finals. They aim to replicate their successful run against the Kiwis in the final, hoping to avenge their semi-final loss in the 2019 ODI World Cup.
Amidst ongoing political tensions with Pakistan, India opted not to travel to the neighboring country for matches, resulting in all their games being held in Dubai. This decision has sparked mixed reactions, with several former and current players stating that it offers an “unfair advantage” to India.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, two-time World Cup champion Brad Hogg expressed his support for India while also highlighting that contradictory remarks from Mohammed Shami fueled criticism.
“Competing at a single venue, where all the matches are played, allows teams to acclimatize to the conditions. Gautam Gambhir stated, ‘There’s no need to complain since it’s a neutral venue for us as well.’ However, Shami’s comments about how playing in Dubai has benefited his bowling caused others to question whether India holds a slight advantage,” Hogg explained to NDTV.
“Ultimately, we want India to participate in the Champions Trophy. The political issues with Pakistan hindered their ability to play there. Hopefully, one day this tension will ease and cricketing relations between both nations can be restored. We find ourselves in this current situation. Australia didn’t raise any concerns; they accepted the circumstances and were defeated by a superior team on that occasion. In my opinion, New Zealand is the only team capable of challenging India in Dubai,” he added.
Previously, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir dismissed all claims regarding having an advantage while playing in Dubai.
“Kaunsi undue advantage? (What undue advantage?) We train at ICC Academy, where conditions differ from those at the stadium. Some people are perpetual complainers; it’s time for them to mature,” Gambhir commented after India’s victory over Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-final.
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