BCCI issues official statement on 'unfair advantage' allegations against India in CT 2025

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice president Rajeev Shukla opened up about whether India had an unfair advantage by playing all their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches in Dubai. Rajeev Shukla stated that the Indian team relies on skills rather than external factors like pitch conditions.

Former players questioned whether India have an unfair advantage by playing all their matches in Dubai. India are playing matches at one venue, unlike other teams that travel between three venues in Pakistan and Dubai. India refused to travel to Pakistan due to political tensions, leading to a hybrid model.

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Team India Set to Face New Zealand in Champions Trophy 2025 Final

The criticism went up a notch when both Australia and South Africa had to travel to Dubai ahead of the semifinals. India secured their semifinal spot after defeating New Zealand in the final group-stage match. South Africa and New Zealand had to travel to Pakistan to play in the second semifinal clash.

The Rohit Sharma-led team went on to beat Australia by four wickets to reach their third consecutive Champions Trophy final. Meanwhile, the Kiwis defeated the Proteas by 50 runs in Lahore on Wednesday, March 5. With this victory, New Zealand also booked a place in their third Champions Trophy final.

India Rely on Their Skills, Not on the Basis of the Pitch - BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla

Rajeev Shukla dismissed concerns about India gaining an advantage by playing all their matches in Dubai, stating that the team relies on performance, not pitch conditions. Speaking to journalists, Shukla said that it was agreed that India-centric matches would be held in Dubai during the ICC meeting.

“When this decision was being made during the ICC meeting, it was decided that India-centric matches will be played in Dubai while the remaining games will be played in Dubai,” said Shukla while speaking to the media at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

"So it’s not about fair or unfair and the Indian cricket team doesn’t play depending on pitches. There are different kind of pitches in Dubai ground as well. India play on performance, the players play on their skills not on the basis of the pitch," he added.

The Decision Is in the Hands of the Government - Rajeev Shukla

Rajeev Shukla also shared his thoughts on the possibility of India and Pakistan resuming bilateral cricket at a neutral venue, adding that the decision is in the hands of the Indian government. Shukla added that bilateral series should take place in India or Pakistan and not at neutral venues.

“As far as bilateral cricket relations between India and Pakistan is concerned, the decision is in the hands of the government. Whatever the government of India tells us, we’ll go by that," Shukla said.

"Moreover, it’s the policy of the BCCI and I guess it would be the same for the PCB as well that whichever bilateral games should take place on the soil of either of the two nations. It shouldn’t take place at a neutral venue, it’s a consistent policy by the BCCI,” he added.

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