India lifted yet another ICC trophy, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
This victory marked their third Champions Trophy win and their seventh ICC title overall, adding to their World Cup triumphs in 1983 and 2011, as well as T20 World Cup victories in 2007 and 2024.
In just eight months, India has secured two major ICC trophies, solidifying its dominance in world cricket.
While their exceptional performances across different conditions have earned them global recognition, many cricket experts have raised concerns over the “Unfair Advantage” India enjoyed by playing all their CT25 matches in Dubai.
Why Did India Play in Dubai?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the ICC late last year that the Indian government had denied the team permission to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns.
This led to a prolonged standoff between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the BCCI, with both sides pushing for their own terms.
In January 2025, the ICC reached a compromise: India would play all its matches, including the final, in Dubai, while the other seven teams competed in Pakistan.
This decision posed logistical challenges for the rest of the teams. For instance, New Zealand played their first match in Karachi, second in Rawalpindi, third in Dubai, fourth in Lahore, and then returned to Dubai for the final, making them the most travelled team of the tournament.
Similarly, South Africa had to undertake an 18-hour journey to Dubai for a potential semi-final against India, only to return to Lahore to face New Zealand instead.
Criticism from Cricketers
Several players and commentators criticized the arrangement. South African batsman David Miller expressed his frustration over his team’s hectic travel schedule, calling it “far from ideal” that they had to fly to Dubai to await India’s semi-final opponent, only to return to Lahore within a day.
Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Atherton highlighted India’s potential edge in the tournament, questioning the fairness of their fixed location.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Podcast, he asked Nasser Hussain, “What about the advantage India has by playing exclusively in Dubai?
It may be difficult to quantify, but it’s undeniable. They are familiar with the conditions, allowing them to tailor their selections accordingly.”
Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle acknowledged the advantage of staying in Dubai but dismissed claims that it was intentional, stating, “What needs to be questioned is whether India DID NOT go or COULD NOT go? I think India COULD NOT go to Pakistan.”
Before the Champions Trophy began, when an Indian government official was questioned about the travel restriction, he claimed it was the BCCI that raised safety concerns—leaving uncertainty over whether the refusal was governmental or administrative.
Was Dubai the Only Reason for India’s CT25 Win?
While India undeniably benefitted from playing in one venue, their success cannot be attributed to this factor alone. In recent years, they have been a dominant force in global cricket.
They were unbeaten until the final in the 2023 ODI World Cup and won every game in the 2024 T20 World Cup. In the last three ICC tournaments, they have played 24 matches and lost only once—the 2023 World Cup final.
India’s squad for the Champions Trophy was perfectly balanced. The reliance on stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma has given way to new match-winners such as Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul.
Axar Patel’s promotion to No. 5 proved a masterstroke, while their bowling unit, even in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, thrived with a four-spinner attack that exploited Dubai’s conditions.
However, it is important to note that their dominance may have been different had they played in Pakistan. Two key factors support this:
Team Selection and Preparation
Knowing they would play in Dubai; India picked five spinners and adapted their batting strategy accordingly. Their openers attacked pacers aggressively in the powerplay, while spinners dominated the middle overs.
Playing all games in the same conditions provided a predictable game plan, and avoiding long travel helped conserve energy and fitness.
Different Playing Conditions in Pakistan
In contrast to Dubai’s spin-friendly wickets, Pakistan’s pitches were flat, favouring fast bowlers and high scores. The presence of dew in the night matches often made defending totals extremely difficult.
Australia, for instance, chased down a 350+ total against England with ease. Had India played in Pakistan, their four-spinner strategy might not have been as effective, particularly when defending totals in high-pressure knockout matches.
How Will Champions Trophy 2025 Be Remembered?
India’s victory in the Champions Trophy 2025 is a testament to their brilliance as a cricketing powerhouse.
However, the unprecedented advantage of playing exclusively in Dubai while other teams crisscrossed between Pakistan and the UAE will remain a contentious issue.
While their talent is undeniable, the fairness of the competition remains a question that world cricket won’t easily forget.
