Former Indian cricket player Ravichandran Ashwin has vehemently refuted allegations that his country has had a “unfair home advantage” in the current ICC Champions Trophy 2025. While other teams have had to travel to and from other places in Pakistan to Dubai, India plays all of their matches in the Dubai International Stadium, which has given rise to the accusations.
Ashwin brushed these worries off, claiming that tournament success is determined by performances rather than justifications. He provided insight on South Africa’s 2009 Champions Trophy campaign, in which the Proteas did not advance to the knockout round despite playing all of their group games at Centurion.
“I have one thing to clarify. Performances, not justifications, are what win tournaments. I find it amusing when the same questions are posed during press briefings. In 2009, South Africa did not qualify despite playing all of their group matches at the same location. In contrast, Ashwin noted on his YouTube channel that India had not played ODIs in the UAE since the Asia Cup prior to COVID.
After winning the 2018 Asia Cup and going on a remarkable run in the 2025 Champions Trophy, India is still undefeated in ODIs at the Dubai International Stadium. The team has had to adjust to various and fluctuating pitch conditions in every game, according to captain Rohit Sharma, who also discussed the dispute.
Additionally, Ashwin made fun of teams that constantly gripe about the circumstances rather than concentrating on their own performance.
“I am familiar with one squad. After losing 4-0 in India, they accuse the pitches. Pay attention to yourself. One of India’s greatest assets is cricket. Don’t criticise our guys because the story is being told by someone else,” he continued.
Ashwin expressed gratitude for New Zealand’s professionalism and said that the Kiwis have not offered any excuses despite their roughly 7,000-kilometer journey.
“India performed well, according to Williamson and Santner. New Zealand has admirers because of this. “They are gentlemanly and sophisticated,” he added.
On Sunday, March 9, India will play New Zealand in the championship match at the Dubai International Stadium.
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