Amidst India’s progress in the 2025 Champions Trophy, Sourav Ganguly refuted criticisms suggesting that the Indian team holds an advantage by playing all matches in Dubai. He argued that India would have scored more in Pakistan, aligning with statistical evidence of better pitch performance there. The controversy stemmed from comments by cricket analysts and current players about the inequities in match arrangements.
Sourav Ganguly responded firmly to criticisms from Nasser Hussain and Mike Atherton regarding India’s perceived advantage in the ongoing 2025 Champions Trophy, held entirely in Dubai. Critics, including England captain Jos Buttler and South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen, argued that India benefited from playing at a single venue while other teams relocated between countries. Ganguly countered this notion by asserting that India would have likely achieved higher scores had they competed in Pakistan instead.
The controversy emerged amidst India’s journey to the tournament’s semifinals. Due to political and security issues, the Indian government did not permit the national team to travel to Pakistan. Consequently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) proposed a hybrid model, designating Dubai as a neutral location for all matches.
During a public event organized by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), Ganguly stated, “The pitches in Pakistan are much better. India would’ve scored more runs there.” This assertion aligns with the statistical performance in Pakistan, where teams have averaged 34.96 runs across seven matches. Among these matches, eight centuries and 17 fifties were recorded, including two leading century scores in Champions Trophy history.
In contrast, the average scoring in Dubai was significantly lower, at just 28 runs over three games, with India achieving a maximum of 249 runs in their match against New Zealand. These figures illustrate the nuances between the two venues, underscoring Ganguly’s claim regarding the superior quality of Pakistani pitches.
In summary, Sourav Ganguly’s rebuttal to claims of India’s advantage in the Champions Trophy reveals a broader perspective on pitch quality in cricketing contexts. By emphasizing the potential for higher scoring in Pakistan, he highlights the challenges and conditions faced by teams in different venues. The debate continues regarding the implications of venue selection for team performance in international cricket.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
