India’s victorious marketing campaign within the current ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has triggered contemporary criticism, with legendary West Indies quick bowler Andy Roberts accusing the ICC of favoring India. The veteran pacer said that the governing physique should cease bending to India’s calls for and guarantee a stage taking part in area for all groups.
The Rohit Sharma-led facet clinched their report third Champions Trophy title after defeating New Zealand by 4 wickets within the ultimate. The match, formally hosted by Pakistan, witnessed an uncommon association the place the Males in Blue performed all their matches in Dubai as a result of Indian authorities’s refusal to permit journey to Pakistan.
Whereas different groups needed to transfer between Pakistan and the UAE, India had been at one venue all through the 19-day match. This raised questions on equity and sparked discussions on whether or not the ICC had granted the Males in Blue an unfair benefit. Many revealed that diminished journey fatigue and acquainted taking part in circumstances labored within the facet’s favor, resulting in their success within the match.
“One thing’s received to provide. India can’t get all the things. The ICC should say no to India at occasions. India even had a bonus eventually yr’s T20 World Cup, the place they knew prematurely the place their semi-final could be performed. On the Champions Trophy, India didn’t need to journey in any respect. How can a workforce not journey throughout a match?” he mentioned, as quoted by Mid-Day.
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It’s not truthful, it’s not cricket: Andy Roberts
The legendary speedster additional blamed the ICC of being overly accommodating towards India and claimed that the group is completely influenced by the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“It’s not truthful, it’s not cricket. There must be a stage taking part in area. I do know some huge cash comes from India, however cricket ought to not be a one-country sport. To me, the ICC stands for the Indian Cricket Board. India dictates all the things. If tomorrow, India says, ‘hear there needs to be no no-balls and wides,’ take my phrase, the ICC will discover a solution to fulfill India,” he added.
This isn’t the primary time such accusations have come up. Comparable factors had been put up within the 2024 T20 World Cup, the place India’s semi-final venue was pre-decided. Many mentioned that these selections tilt the competitors within the Males in Blue’s favor.
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