Last Updated:
Sunil Gavaskar has come out hard at Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, and others for claiming India had an advantage in the 2025 Champions Trophy by playing in Dubai.
Sunil Gavaskar (L, Getty) and Nasser Hussain (AFP)
Sunil Gavaskar didn’t mince words in his criticism of Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, and other current and ex-cricketers saying India had an ‘advantage’ over other teams in the 2025 Champions Trophy because they were playing all their matches in Dubai. He said the pundits who keep on ‘moaning’ about India, should focus on their nations’ progress in the tournament because Indian cricket was also paying their salaries.
Hussain and Atherton said India had an ‘undeniable home advantage’ in this scenario while speaking on the Sky Sports Podcast. South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen, who’s playing in the Champions Trophy, also said that India didn’t have to travel or change hotels unlike the other seven teams who were playing some of their matches in Pakistan, and that Rohit Sharma and Co. would be under pressure to make it count.
“… It’s not even worth commenting on,” Gavaskar said in an interview with India Today, mentioning that it can’t be an advantage because pitches aren’t in India’s control and travel is usual in the sport.
He added: “It really isn’t. They are always moaning. They just cannot seem to understand where India stands in international cricket — in terms of quality, income, talent, and, more importantly, in terms of generating revenue. India’s contribution to global cricket-through television rights and media revenue-plays a massive role. They need to understand that their salaries also come from what India brings to the world of cricket.”
India have qualified for the semi-final. South Africa are almost there and a narrow win or even a no-result against England on Saturday would seal their place. The English, meanwhile, have been knocked out after losing their first two league stage games — and Gavaskar made a point to mention it.
“I think these are all wise and experienced people,” he said. “Why don’t you actually look at why your team has not qualified? That’s what I was going to ask you, sir. Rather than constantly focusing on India, are you even looking at your own backyard? Your players are in such a fragile mental state-they don’t seem to care about results as long as they meet certain expectations.”
“You must care about results. You must care for your country, for any team you play for. If you are playing for your country, the responsibility is even greater. All the time, they are moaning — ‘India has got this, India has got that.’ It’s constant. We must just ignore it. Let them keep moaning. We have better things to focus on. That is the kind of attitude you must have,” he added.
India will play against New Zealand on Sunday to decide their final position in the league table and thus their semi-final opponents.
