Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has strongly criticized those questioning India’s advantage in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, calling out overseas pundits for their constant complaints. His comments come after former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton claimed that India playing all their matches in Dubai gives them an “undeniable advantage.”
India opted not to travel to Pakistan for security reasons, leading to a hybrid model where all their matches—including the group stage, a semi-final, and potentially the final—will be played in Dubai, while other teams will travel between venues in Pakistan. Critics argue that India’s familiarity with Dubai’s conditions and the lack of travel provide an unfair edge. Pakistan’s head coach Aaqib Javed, South African batter Rassie van der Dussen, and New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell also acknowledged this factor, though Javed refused to use it as an excuse for Pakistan’s defeat to India on January 23.
Speaking to India Today, Gavaskar dismissed these claims, saying it has become routine for foreign experts to criticize India while ignoring their own teams’ shortcomings. He urged them to focus on why their teams fail to qualify rather than constantly blaming India’s success.
“These are experienced people. Why aren’t they questioning their own teams? Instead, they keep mourning about India. Their players are in such a fragile mental state that they don’t seem to care about results as long as they meet certain expectations,” Gavaskar said.
He further stated that India’s influence in international cricket goes beyond just performance—it extends to revenue generation, television rights, and sponsorship deals that sustain the global cricketing ecosystem.
“They fail to understand India’s contribution to world cricket—not just in quality and talent but in revenue. Their salaries also come from the financial impact India has on global cricket,” Gavaskar added.
India started their Champions Trophy campaign with a win against Bangladesh and followed it up with a dominant victory over Pakistan in Dubai on February 23. They will now face New Zealand on March 2 in their final group-stage match. If India tops Group A, they will play the first semi-final in Dubai on March 4. The final, if India qualifies, will also be held in Dubai; otherwise, it will take place in Lahore on March 9.