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The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is in full swing, and Team India has dominated so far, easily defeating Bangladesh and Pakistan in Dubai. With a semi-final spot nearly secured, their final group-stage match against New Zealand on Sunday might just serve as a warm-up before the knockout phase.
However, not everyone is happy with how things are unfolding. Australian skipper Pat Cummins has called out what he sees as a significant advantage handed to India by the ICC.
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Cummins Questions India’s “Home-Like” Conditions in Dubai
Speaking to Yahoo Sport Australia, Cummins expressed concerns about India playing all their matches at a single venue—Dubai, while other teams have had to travel across different locations, including Pakistan. The Aussie speedster believes that this one-sided arrangement gives India an unfair edge.
“I think it’s good that the tournament can go on, but obviously it does give them (India) a huge advantage playing on the same ground. They already look very strong, and they’ve got that obvious benefit of playing all their games there,” Cummins remarked.
Cummins’ comments have sparked a debate—does India truly have an unfair advantage, or is this just another case of teams looking for excuses when India dominates ICC tournaments?
The Hybrid Model: Did India Get Special Treatment?
India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns led to the adoption of a hybrid model, where all of India’s matches have been played in Dubai. This arrangement, while allowing the tournament to proceed smoothly, has also shielded India from adjusting to different conditions—a luxury no other team enjoys.
Key Advantages of Playing in Dubai:
- Consistent pitch conditions: India has played and practiced on the same surface, while others have had to adjust to different venues.
- No additional travel stress: Unlike teams moving between Pakistan and the UAE, India has had a more relaxed schedule.
- Familiarity with the ground: The team has already played two games in Dubai and knows the conditions inside out.
While Cummins has pointed this out, the ICC has not responded to these claims yet.
Cummins’ Absence and His IPL 2025 Return
Cummins opted out of the Champions Trophy due to personal and injury-related reasons, staying home for the birth of his second child and recovering from an ankle injury. However, the Aussie pacer has confirmed his return for IPL 2025, where he will once again captain SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH).
“It’s been nice to be at home with everything going on, and the ankle rehab is tracking well. I’ll start running and bowling this week. There’s the IPL next month, and then we’ve got the Test World Championship and a tour to the West Indies, so there’s a lot to look forward to,” Cummins stated.
His comeback will be a huge boost for SRH, who made it to the final last season but lost to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). With Cummins back at the helm, SRH will be hoping to go all the way this time.
Final Thoughts: Is Cummins’ Claim Valid?
With India cruising through the Champions Trophy, Cummins’ comments have fueled discussions about fair play and ICC favoritism. While playing all matches at one venue does give India an advantage, the hybrid model was introduced for security reasons, and other teams agreed to it before the tournament began.
So, is India truly benefiting unfairly, or is Cummins just stirring the pot ahead of a potential clash in the knockout stages? One thing is certain—if India continues its dominant run, the noise around “home-like” conditions will only grow louder.
