Former Pakistan cricketer Junaid Khan accused India of benefiting from an unfair ‘venue advantage’ during the Champions Trophy, highlighting that New Zealand and South Africa have traveled significantly more. India head coach Gautam Gambhir rejected these claims, asserting that the team’s practice conditions differ from those at the match venue, calling for critics to mature in their viewpoints.
In the lead-up to the Champions Trophy final, former Pakistani cricketer Junaid Khan criticized the Indian cricket team for allegedly benefiting from having all its matches at a single venue—the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This arrangement has raised suspicions regarding the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the fairness of competition. Khan’s assertions emphasize that teams like New Zealand and South Africa have had to travel extensively while India experienced no travel adversity at all.
Khan highlighted the significant disparity in travel distances during the Champions Trophy 2025, noting, “Distance travelled between matches in Champions Trophy 2025: New Zealand: 7,150 KM; South Africa: 3,286 KM; India: 0 KM. Some teams win by skill, some win by scheduling.” His remarks underscore the role scheduling may have played in India’s success in the tournament.
In response to these allegations, India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, dismissed claims of an unfair advantage. He indicated that the team has been training at the ICC Academy rather than the stadium itself, stating, “Kaunsi undue advantage? (What undue advantage?) We practice at ICC Academy, where conditions are different from what we get here at the stadium.” Gambhir expressed his frustration with perpetual critics.
The accusations made by Junaid Khan suggest that India’s success in the Champions Trophy may be influenced by favorable scheduling, as they have not had to travel like other teams. Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir’s rebuttal reflects the team’s commitment to rigorous preparation in diverse conditions, emphasizing that success should be attributed to skill rather than scheduling advantages. This ongoing debate showcases the complexities surrounding competitive fairness in international cricket.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
