India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has found himself at the centre of a yet another controversy after his strong denial to claims that team India received an “undue advantage” by playing all their matches in Dubai in the ongoing Champions Trophy tournament. Gambhir’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from South African media, with one publication branding India’s head coach’s reaction as “cringeworthy arrogance.”
The dispute stems from India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan due to geopolitical tensions, forcing the ICC to schedule all of India’s matches in Dubai, including the final. Meanwhile, other participating teams were required to shuttle between venues across Pakistan and Dubai, with South Africa and Australia even forced to make a last-minute dash to Dubai for a potential semifinal against India.
South Africa, after losing to New Zealand, had to head back to Pakistan within 12 hours, a chaotic scheduling move that further fueled resentment. Critics argue India gained two clear benefits: avoiding disruptive travel and gaining familiarity with Dubai’s conditions, giving them an unfair upper hand.
What did Gambhir say?
Although not directly questioned about the issue during a press conference on Tuesday, Gambhir launched a blistering attack on critics, dismissing them as “perpetual cribbers.” Defending his team, Gambhir said, “What undue advantage? We haven’t even trained at this ground. We have been practicing at the ICC Academy, and the pitches there are entirely different from the stadium. The contrast between the two is like earth and sky.”
South African media calls out Gambhir’s ‘arrogance’
However, South African media was quick to hit back. A scathing article on iol.co.za pointed out that the ICC Academy is “just a few hundred metres away” from Dubai International Stadium. The piece accused Gambhir of exhibiting “his arrogance throughout this whole situation is cringe-worthy.”
The criticism didn’t end there. Gambhir also came under fire for his attack on former England captains Nasser Hussain and Mike Atherton, who had previously highlighted India’s advantageous position. Gambhir’s dismissive “they’ve got to grow up” comment only intensified the backlash.
“Well, that’s some statement, especially when it’s blatantly obvious that residing in one location and playing at a single stadium while other teams have to travel around and experience different conditions is an advantage,” it added.
‘It will be a hollow victory’
As India prepares to face New Zealand in Sunday’s final in Dubai, the South African media outlet took one final swipe at Gambhir, predicting that even if India lifts the trophy, the victory will carry a “hollow feeling.”
“There’s every likelihood that India will go on to win their second successive major ICC trophy in less than a year on Sunday when they face New Zealand, who beat South Africa in Wednesday’s semifinal. But when Gambhir raises the trophy towards the Dubai night skyline in celebration, being the fierce competitor that he is, he will know deep within himself that there will be a hollowness to it for the manner it was achieved regardless of all the outlandish comments he is currently making. And that’s something he will have to live with every time he looks at that winners’ medal in his living room for the rest of his days,” the article concluded.
Meanwhile, a separate editorial in Business Day headlined “Shocking India Favouritism,” took aim directly at the ICC, accusing the governing body of “bending over backwards” to accommodate India. The piece lambasted the decision to allow India to play all matches in Dubai, framing it as a clear example of preferential treatment. It read: “ICC bent over backwards to keep the team in the Champions Trophy by allowing it to play all its games in Dubai.”