India Won CT 2025 Fair & Square: Mitchell Starc on One Venue Row
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has sparked a heated debate among cricket enthusiasts, with one of the most contentious issues being the decision to hold all of India’s matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The move has led many to question whether India received an “undue advantage” in the tournament. However, one player who doesn’t agree with this sentiment is Australia’s Mitchell Starc.
Starc, who opted out of the tournament, believes that India won the Champions Trophy “fair and square” and that their victory wasn’t due to any favorable conditions. In an interview with the Indian Express, the Australian fast bowler praised India’s team, saying that they were “a bloody good cricket team” and had been consistently performing well across all formats for a long time.
“I think they were the better team, and that’s why they won the tournament. It’s not like they got an undue advantage or anything like that. They played some great cricket, and they deserved the win,” Starc said.
Starc’s comments come as a surprise to many, given that Australia was a strong contender in the tournament and had a few close matches. However, the fast bowler’s words are a testament to his respect for the Indian team and his acknowledgment of their exceptional performance.
India’s dominance in the tournament was evident, as they won all their matches to lift the Champions Trophy for the third time. Their bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, was peerless, and their batsmen, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, played some magnificent innings.
While some critics have argued that the Dubai pitch favored the Indian team, Starc believes that the conditions were similar for all teams. “The pitch was the same for everyone. I think everyone had to adapt to it. It’s not like it was a one-sided affair or anything like that,” he said.
Starc’s comments have sparked a mixed reaction among fans, with some agreeing with him that India’s victory was well-deserved, while others continue to question whether the one-venue format gave the hosts an unfair advantage.
The decision to hold all of India’s matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium was made by the ICC, and it was met with widespread criticism from fans and players alike. Many felt that it was unfair to the other teams, who had to travel long distances and adjust to different conditions.
However, the ICC defended its decision, saying that it was made to ensure the tournament’s success and to minimize logistical issues. The governing body also pointed out that the Dubai pitch was chosen after careful consideration and consultation with the teams.
Despite the controversy, Starc believes that the ICC made the right decision. “I think the ICC did a good job with the scheduling. Dubai is a great venue, and it’s a great place to play cricket. I think it worked out well for everyone,” he said.
Starc’s praise for the ICC’s scheduling decision is a rare departure from the usual criticism that the governing body faces. However, his comments are a testament to his respect for the Indian team and his acknowledgment of their exceptional performance.
In conclusion, Mitchell Starc’s comments on the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy have sparked a heated debate among cricket enthusiasts. While some critics continue to question whether India received an unfair advantage, Starc believes that the Indian team won the tournament “fair and square”. His praise for India’s team and his acknowledgment of their exceptional performance are a testament to the respect that he has for the Indian team.
