India won CT 2025 fair & square: Mitchell Starc on one venue row
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has just concluded, and India has emerged as the champion. However, not everyone is happy with the outcome. The criticism has been centered around the fact that India played all their matches in Dubai, which some have deemed as an “undue advantage” for the Indian team. Australia’s Mitchell Starc, who opted out of the tournament, has reacted to these criticisms, saying that India won the tournament “fair and square”.
Starc’s comments come as a surprise to many, given that he had chosen to skip the tournament. However, it appears that he is willing to put aside his own personal decision and acknowledge the Indian team’s outstanding performance.
“I think you’ve got to give credit where credit is due,” Starc said in an interview. “India were the better team, and they’re a bloody good cricket team and have been across all formats for a long time. They’ve got some amazing players, and they’ve got a great team dynamic, and they were the ones who deserved to win the tournament.”
Starc’s comments are a refreshing change from the usual criticism and controversy that often surrounds international sports. Instead of focusing on the perceived advantages or disadvantages of playing in a single venue, he is choosing to focus on the cricket itself. By acknowledging India’s superior performance, he is giving credit where it is due and showing respect for the opponent.
It’s also worth noting that the Indian team’s performance in the tournament was not limited to their home advantage. They played some outstanding cricket throughout the tournament, showcasing their skills and teamwork. From Rohit Sharma’s brilliant captaincy to Virat Kohli’s impressive batting, the Indian team had a well-rounded performance that earned them the championship.
Of course, not everyone is happy with Starc’s comments. Some have argued that playing all their matches in Dubai did give India an unfair advantage, and that the team’s success was largely due to their familiarity with the conditions. However, it’s worth noting that the Indian team did not have a home series before the tournament, and they were still able to adapt to the conditions in Dubai.
Moreover, the ICC has taken steps to ensure that the conditions are as fair as possible for all teams. The tournament was played with a neutral umpire and third umpire system, and the conditions were monitored closely to ensure that they were consistent throughout the tournament.
In the end, whether or not India’s success was due to their home advantage is a matter of debate. However, what is undeniable is that the Indian team played some outstanding cricket throughout the tournament, and their victory is a testament to their hard work and dedication.
As Starc said, India won the tournament “fair and square”. They were the better team, and they have earned their place as champions. Whether or not they had a home advantage, their performance was impressive, and they have set a high standard for themselves and other teams to follow.
