India Won CT 2025 Fair & Square: Mitchell Starc on One Venue Row
The recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was a thrilling tournament that saw India emerge victorious, defeating England in the final. However, the tournament was marred by controversy surrounding the decision to stage all the matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Some critics argue that India got an “undue advantage” by playing all their matches at a familiar venue, but Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has come out in support of the Indian team, saying they won the tournament “fair and square”.
Starc, who opted out of the tournament, believes that India’s victory was a testament to their superior cricketing skills. “They were the better team, they’re a bloody good cricket team and have been across all formats for a long time,” he said in an interview. His comments come as a surprise, given that Australia was one of the teams that benefited from playing the majority of their matches at home during the 2023 ICC World Cup.
However, Starc’s perspective is not without merit. India did have a significant advantage in terms of familiarity with the pitch and conditions at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The team had played a series of matches in the UAE just before the Champions Trophy, which gave them an opportunity to acclimatize to the conditions. Additionally, several Indian players have experience playing in the UAE, having represented their franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other T20 tournaments.
Despite these advantages, India still had to overcome a strong England team in the final. The match was a thrilling contest that went down to the wire, with India eventually emerging victorious by 15 runs. England’s captain, Jos Buttler, praised the Indian team’s performance, saying that they were “deserving winners”.
Starc’s comments have been met with mixed reactions from fans and experts alike. Some have criticized him for being too gracious in defeat, while others have praised him for acknowledging India’s superior cricketing skills. However, it’s clear that Starc’s comments are not motivated by a desire to diminish India’s achievement. Instead, they reflect a recognition that the Indian team has been one of the most dominant forces in international cricket over the past few years.
India’s victory in the Champions Trophy 2025 is a testament to the team’s incredible depth and versatility. The team’s ability to adapt to different conditions and oppositions has been one of its greatest strengths, and it was on full display during the tournament. From the spin-heavy attack that dominated the slower tracks in the UAE to the pace-heavy attack that ripped through the English batting line-up in the final, India showed that they can adapt to any situation.
Starc’s comments also highlight the importance of experience and familiarity with conditions in international cricket. While some have criticized the decision to stage the tournament at a single venue, it’s clear that India’s experience playing in the UAE gave them a significant advantage. The Indian team’s familiarity with the conditions and the pitch helped them to make better decisions and execute their game plan more effectively.
In conclusion, Mitchell Starc’s comments that India won the Champions Trophy 2025 “fair and square” are a testament to the team’s incredible cricketing skills and adaptability. The Indian team’s victory is a reminder that, in the world of international cricket, experience and familiarity with conditions can be just as important as individual talent and skill. As the Indian team celebrates their championship, they should be proud of their achievement, knowing that they have earned the right to be called the best team in the world.
