Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has hit back at former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton over their criticism of India’s scheduling advantage in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The controversy arose after England’s early exit from the tournament, with Hussain and Atherton questioning why India had been allowed to play all its group-stage matches at a single venue in Dubai.
The decision, driven by India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan, has sparked debate over fairness in scheduling.
However, Gavaskar was quick to dismiss the criticism, asserting that England’s concerns stem from their own shortcomings rather than any real advantage India might have.
‘Look at your own team first’
Speaking to India Today, Gavaskar suggested that England’s former cricketers should focus on their own team’s struggles rather than blaming India for their early elimination.
“I think these are all wise and experienced people. Why don’t they actually look at why their team has not qualified?” Gavaskar remarked. “Rather than constantly focusing on India, are they even looking at their own backyard? Their players are in such a fragile mental state—they don’t seem to care about results as long as they meet certain expectations.”
England, the defending champions of the 2019 World Cup, failed to progress to the Champions Trophy semi-finals after losses to Australia and Afghanistan, a performance that has led to scrutiny back home.
‘Stop moaning, understand India’s role’
Gavaskar also addressed broader concerns raised by other international cricketers, including Australia’s Pat Cummins and South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen, who described the schedule as a “huge advantage” for India.
But the former Indian opener dismissed the criticism as a pattern of complaints against India’s growing influence in international cricket.
“All the time, they are moaning: ‘India has got this, India has got that.’ It’s constant,” he said. “We must just ignore it. Let them keep moaning—we have better things to focus on.”
Gavaskar also highlighted India’s substantial financial contribution to world cricket, noting that revenues generated by Indian cricket benefit all cricketing nations, including England.
“They need to understand that their salaries also come from what India brings to the world of cricket,” he stated. “India’s role in generating revenue, television rights, and media coverage is massive.”
The Dubai scheduling debate
India remains the only team in the Champions Trophy 2025 playing all its group-stage matches at one venue. The decision was made after the Indian government ruled out any possibility of the team traveling to Pakistan, the official host of the tournament.
While some critics argue that reduced travel and familiarity with conditions provide India with an unfair edge, others believe that such decisions are beyond the control of players and should not be a cause for controversy.
Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer had earlier responded to the criticism with a tongue-in-cheek remark, suggesting that the team should have “changed hotels” in Dubai to put an end to complaints
