Former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain, current Australia skipper Pat Cummins, and South Africa batter Rassie van der Dussen have expressed concerns about India’s “advantage” in the ongoing Champions Trophy. The Rohit Sharma-led Indian team is the only side playing all its matches at one venue—Dubai International Stadium—due to the Indian government’s refusal to send its team to Pakistan.
India, unbeaten in the tournament, has secured a spot in the final after defeating Australia in the semi-final, a result that also stripped Pakistan of its right to host the final. The title clash will now take place in Dubai on Sunday, March 9.
Rajeev Shukla’s Witty Response on India’s Venue Controversy
During the second semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa in Lahore, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla was asked by a Pakistani journalist why India could not travel to Pakistan for the final. Shukla’s sharp reply left reporters speechless.
“For that, Australia should have won yesterday (Tuesday). But since they lost, the final would have to be played in Dubai,” Shukla remarked.
He dismissed the notion that India gained an unfair advantage, asserting that the decision to hold India’s matches in Dubai was made at the ICC level.
“When this decision was taken at the ICC level, it was decided that India-centric matches will be in Dubai and the rest of the matches will be in Pakistan. So it is not a question of fair or unfair,” Shukla clarified.
“The Indian team doesn’t depend on pitches. Even in Dubai, there are different kinds of pitches. The team plays on its performances, and the players rely on their strengths, not the conditions,” he added.
India-Pakistan Bilateral Cricket Hinges on Government Clearance
Shukla also addressed the long-standing question of India-Pakistan bilateral cricket, making it clear that any series between the two nations depends on the Indian government’s approval.
“As far as you are asking about (cricket) between the two countries, it is very categorical and clear that it is the (Indian) government’s decision. Whatever the government of India says, we will go as per them,” he stated.
Acknowledging that Pakistan has successfully hosted an international tournament after a long time, Shukla said, “It is a good thing. They have organized it well.”
While fans from both nations yearn for bilateral cricket, he dismissed the idea of playing at a neutral venue.
“The BCCI policy has always been that bilateral matches should be held on each other’s soil, not at a neutral venue. There is also an ICC provision requiring government consent, and every decision is made after careful consideration,” he explained.
As cricket’s biggest rivalry continues to be dictated by political considerations, the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clashes remain limited to ICC and multi-nation tournaments.