Related Articles
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has found himself at the center of controversy after his ‘Perpetual Cribbers’ remark, with South African media strongly criticizing his stance. The comment came in response to accusations from former England cricketers Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, and Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins, who suggested that India had an unfair advantage in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to the tournament’s scheduling.
Table of content
Gambhir’s Fiery Rebuttal to Scheduling Criticism
India’s road to the Champions Trophy final has been dominant, but the fact that they have played all their matches in Dubai, without the need for travel, has drawn criticism from rival teams and experts. Many claim this has given the Indian team an unfair advantage, unlike other teams who have had to travel between Pakistan and the UAE for matches.
Gambhir, however, dismissed these concerns outright, labeling the critics as “Perpetual Cribbers.” His sharp response has since drawn backlash from the South African media following their team’s semifinal exit.
South African Media’s Outrage After Semifinal Exit
South Africa’s Champions Trophy campaign ended in disappointment after they were defeated by New Zealand in the semifinals in Lahore. Unlike India, the Proteas had to travel frequently between cities, which their media argues was a significant disadvantage.
A report published by South African website iol.co.za slammed Gambhir’s “arrogant” response and labeled his comments as “cringe-worthy.” The report even suggested that India’s potential title win in the final would feel “hollow” due to the perceived scheduling bias.
The Hybrid Model Controversy
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy was originally meant to be fully hosted in Pakistan. However, due to the BCCI’s refusal to send Team India to Pakistan citing security concerns, the ICC and PCB agreed on a hybrid model, where India would play all its matches in Dubai. This arrangement has been a point of contention, with many teams believing that India was given preferential treatment.
Despite the criticism, India remains focused on the final, where they will face New Zealand on March 9 in Dubai. With tensions rising both on and off the field, the final is set to be a high-stakes clash amid the growing controversy.
