Indian coach Gautam Gambhir responded to accusations of favouritism following his team’s victory over Australia in the Champions Trophy, effectively eliminating the Australian side from the tournament. India is set to face either New Zealand or South Africa in the final, with the advantage of an additional day’s rest.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) opted out of travelling to Pakistan for the tournament, despite it being the host nation, citing political tensions and safety concerns. In contrast, all other competing teams have been based in Pakistan under stringent security.
Throughout the tournament, India has played all its matches in Dubai at the same venue, while other teams have travelled between locations, facing varying pitch conditions. Several notable ex-players and commentators have commented on the distinct edge this gives India, a claim Gambhir dismissed in a post-match press conference. He asserted that the venue is neutral for all teams and highlighted that India has not played at the stadium prior to this tournament, having trained at the ICC Academy instead.
Gambhir further refuted the notion of undue advantage, contending that persistent complaints from critics are unwarranted. He stated, “We haven’t practised here even for a day. We’re practising at the ICC Academy. If you look at the wickets, the difference is between the ground and the sky.” He emphasised that the idea of an unfair advantage is misleading, urging those who criticise to mature in their perspectives.
The different conditions faced by teams were stark; for example, Australian captain Steve Smith noted significant disparities between the pitches in Lahore and Dubai, which could affect gameplay. He remarked that the Dubai pitch was much slower and took spin, contrasting with Lahore’s more conducive batting surface.
Moreover, Gambhir clarified that India’s selection of two front-line spinners was a strategic choice intended for subcontinental conditions rather than a reaction to specific knowledge of the Dubai pitch. He mentioned that India’s line-up in the earlier matches did not feature two spinners but rather a balance depending on match conditions.
The intricacies of scheduling, travel, and pitch preparation have been pivotal points of discussion following India’s progression in the tournament, yet Gambhir maintains that their approach is rooted in sound cricketing strategy rather than manipulation of circumstances.