India Won CT 2025 Fair & Square: Mitchell Starc on One Venue Row
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has been the topic of much debate and discussion in the cricketing world, and the latest to join the conversation is Australian pacer Mitchell Starc. Starc, who opted out of the tournament, has come out in support of the Indian team, saying they won the title “fair and square”.
The Indian team had a remarkable run in the tournament, winning all their matches and lifting the title at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Australian pacer’s statement comes in response to criticism that India got an “undue advantage” by playing all their matches at the same venue.
“They were the better team, they’re a bloody good cricket team and have been across all formats for a long time,” Starc said in an interview. “They won the tournament fair and square. I don’t think anyone can deny that.”
Starc’s comments are a significant departure from the views of many Australian cricketers, who have been vocal about the perceived advantage India had by playing all their matches in Dubai. The Indian team’s familiarity with the conditions, the absence of home-town pressure, and the chance to adjust to the conditions quickly were all cited as factors that gave them an edge.
However, Starc believes that these advantages were not enough to explain India’s dominance. “Look, India has a great team, and they’ve been playing well for a long time. You can’t just say that they won because they played all their games in Dubai. They’re a bloody good team, and they deserve to be champions.”
Starc’s comments are also notable because he was one of the few Australian players who opted out of the tournament. The Australian squad was plagued by injuries and player withdrawals, which made it difficult for them to field a strong team. However, Starc’s decision to skip the tournament was seen as a major blow to the Australian team’s chances.
Despite his decision to opt out, Starc has been keeping a close eye on the tournament and has been impressed by India’s performance. “I’ve been following the tournament, and I think India has been fantastic. They’ve played some great cricket, and they deserve to be champions.”
Starc’s comments are likely to spark a fresh debate about the merits of playing all matches at a single venue. However, his views are a testament to the fact that, despite the advantages that India may have had, they still had to perform on the field to win the title.
In the end, Starc’s comments are a reminder that cricket is a game of skill and merit, and that the best team on the day is the one that deserves to win. India’s victory in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and Mitchell Starc’s words are a fitting tribute to their achievement.
