"I agree with David Miller...": Ravichandran Ashwin on India getting undue advantage in Champions Trophy

Ahead of the Champions Trophy final, many believe that Team India have got an undue advantage, making it the talk of the town. Team India will be locking horns against New Zealand in the title decider at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (March 9).

Unlike the other teams, Team India have played all of their games at the same venue. On the other hand, New Zealand played their first two games in Pakistan before flying to Dubai for their final group game against India.

After that, New Zealand had to return to Pakistan once again for the semifinal against South Africa before returning to Dubai for the final. India, on the other hand, did not travel to Pakistan for the tournament due to geopolitical issues.

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Many believe that playing at the same venue has given India a big advantage. Barely a day has passed since the start of the Champions Trophy when India's supposed advantage has not been spoken about.

Ravichandran Ashwin on India getting undue advantage:

Even ahead of the final, it has become a major talking point and former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now shared his views on the same. The India great has launched a scathing attack on those undermining India's performance in the ongoing tournament by saying that the team got an advantage playing in Dubai.

"Tournaments are won on the basis of performances, not excuses," Ravichandran Ashwin said on his Hindi YouTube channel "Ash Ki Baat."

"I am laughing when people ask our captain and coach the same question about having an advantage playing in Dubai. In the 2009 Champions Trophy, South Africa played all their games at the same venue and even then they failed to qualify for the knockouts. It was not South Africa’s fault that they didn’t qualify then. Teams qualified only because they play good cricket," he added.

Speaking further, Ravichandran Ashwin heaped praise on Team India's performance in the ongoing tournament, calling it solid. Team India are the only unbeaten side in the tournament. They won all of their group games including the one against New Zealand before beating reigning world champions Australia in the semifinal.

"India is in the final because they have played solid cricket. No matter what happens in the final, they deserved to be finalists because of the kind of cricket they have played. Please don’t throw mud at our own cricketers because of someone else’s narrative," said Ravichandran Ashwin.

"I know a Test team that travels to India, loses the series, and then blames it on the pitches. Imagine an Indian cricketer coming out and saying such things if we lost a series overseas. We never do that.

"If India wins this trophy, we will be winning the title back-to-back. Let’s celebrate them. Don’t buy into this narrative.

"In the 2023 World Cup, we played at nine different venues. I was with the team, I traveled with the team. I agree with David Miller, a one and a half hour flight does increase lactic acid in your body. But you must understand it is not in the Indian team’s hands. The ICC has made the fixtures. This schedule was decided even before an Indian became ICC chief," he added.

Meanwhile, Team India will be looking to give a fitting reply to their critics by winning the ongoing tournament. They have been in great form and will be fancying their chances of beating New Zealand again to become the first-ever team to win the Champions Trophy thrice.