Even though Pakistan is officially hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Team India is playing all its matches in Dubai, a move that has sparked debate among cricketing legends. Former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain believe India has a ‘home advantage’, citing factors like familiarity with conditions, lack of travel, and strategic team selection.
India’s ‘Dubai Factor’ Under Scrutiny
Speaking on the Sky Sports Podcast, Atherton questioned the fairness of India playing exclusively in one venue while other teams travel across multiple locations in Pakistan.
“What about the advantage India have in playing in Dubai, only in Dubai? That seems to be an undeniable advantage. They don’t have to travel, they know the conditions, and they can fine-tune their selection accordingly,” Atherton remarked.
Nasser Hussain echoed the sentiment, pointing out how India has structured their squad specifically for Dubai’s conditions.
“They picked all their spinners knowing Dubai would favor them. Meanwhile, England and Pakistan, for example, have only one frontline spinner each. Other teams have to adjust to different conditions in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi,” Hussain noted.
Unavoidable Circumstances?
The controversy stems from India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan due to political tensions. As a result, organizers were forced to schedule India’s matches in Dubai to ensure their participation.
“You can’t have a tournament like this without India-Pakistan. It had to be in Dubai. Now, they sit comfortably there, play all their matches in one stadium, and if they win them all, they will lift another global trophy,” Hussain added.
With India already performing strongly in the tournament, the debate over their ‘home-like’ advantage continues. However, as many experts have pointed out, the best teams find ways to adapt—meaning the challenge still remains for all competitors.
