Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin slammed critics crying foul over India’s alleged “Dubai advantage” in Champions Trophy. From former cricketers to active ones, a truckload of criticism has been directed at the Men in Blue, citing “unfair advantage” because of Rohit Sharma and co. playing all their matches in Dubai. The Tamil Nadu spinner hit back at the critics, saying that tournaments are won through performances and not excuses.
Ashwin rubbishes “Dubai advantage claims”
In a video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said that the “unfair advantage” being flagged to coaches and captains in press conferences made him laugh. The veteran pointed out that South Africa had played all their matches at the same venue in Champions Trophy 2009 and noted that they failed to qualify for the final. He then noted that India had last played in the UAE before COVID in the Asia Cup in 2018.
“South Africa had played all of their matches at the same venue in the 2009 Champions Trophy, they did not even qualify. India last played ODIs in UAE in the Asia Cup, it was before COVID,” Ashwin said.
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He hit out at England with an indirect jibe, saying that he was aware of a team who lost to India 0-4 at home and cried foul over pitches.
“Other teams have toured UAE and played since then, but not India. I know one team; they come to India, lose 4-0, then say that the pitches were not good. Focus on yourselves,” Ashwin added.
He further said that New Zealand were not a group who would complain about such things and hence enjoyed a huge fan base that other teams lacked.
“Let’s say New Zealand win the final or loses it, and if you go and ask someone like Williamson or Santner, they will for sure say that India played well; that is why New Zealand Cricket team have fans,” he said.
