Cheteshwar Pujara gives a Brutal Shut Up Call on Advantage India claims amidst Champions Trophy 2025
Published - 07 Mar 2025, 01:36 PM | Updated - 07 Mar 2025, 11:38 PM
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As India is just one step away from lifting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, whispers of an "unfair advantage" have intensified due to the Men in Blue playing all their matches in Dubai.
Critics have been claiming that India's familiarity with UAE conditions has given them an edge, but Cheteshwar Pujara has dismissed the noise with a blistering statement.
Cheteshwar Pujara has noted that the schedule of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was set well in advance, so at that time, why were people not concerned about the so-called home advantage?
He has strongly reminded the critics that the Men in Blue’s matches are being held in Dubai due to security concerns in Pakistan, and all parties were in agreement.
Cheteshwar Pujara dismisses "home advantage" claims ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final
Cheteshwar Pujara further silenced critics by stating that if India had lost the matches, no one would have blamed the venue. He further went on to slam the critics by saying that India’s exceptional balance is a real advantage they have in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
He pointed out that Indian all-rounders, including Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel, have been instrumental in the team’s dominance in the tournament.
He also highlighted India’s superior spin attack, featuring Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, saying other teams don’t have such spinners, and that’s the major reason behind their struggle in the tournament.
If India had lost, no one would have cried: Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara was quoted as saying by Revsportz: “I don't think so. I don't think it is an unfair advantage. I mean, if India had lost, no one would have said that India was playing in Dubai and that's why they lost. So, I don't think it's a home ground for the Indian team. The advantage for the Indian team is the kind of talent we have.
The number of all-rounders we have. We have four quality spinners. If you look at the other teams, they don't even have two quality spinners. And that's why they are struggling, whether they are playing in the UAE or even in Pakistan.”
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India’s spin power and all-rounders their real advantage: Pujara
The veteran Indian batter said India would have easily dominated in Pakistan as well. He credited the squad's depth, all-round talent, and top-order strength for their success in the Champions Trophy 2025 ahead of the final on March 9 against New Zealand.
Pujara signed off by saying, “So, I don't think that's the right way to put it across. I think we have the best balance. We have better all-rounders than the other teams and we have Hardik, who is another all-rounder."
"So, we have three all-rounders in the playing XI, and then you have the quality top-order in the batting lineup. So, it's the balance of the team that is making India a successful team rather than the venue.”
Recently, Sunil Gavaskar has suggested that India should stick with their winning playing XI, keeping four spinners in the lineup for the CT 2025 Final against New Zealand. He feels Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav have strengthened the attack, and India shouldn’t disrupt their winning formula.
