The India Cricket Team lifted the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai. The Men in Blue defeated New Zealand by 4 wickets to lift the silverware. Coming to the tournament, while Pakistan were the hosts of the tournament, India didn’t travel to Pakistan. Instead, India traveled to Dubai and played all their matches, including the finals. On the other hand, West Indies pace legend Andy Roberts has slammed ICC for favoring India.
Time and again pundits and experts have claimed that India had gained advantage by not playing in three different venues. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir retaliated by claiming that Team India had no advantage compared to other teams.
ICC stands for India Cricket Board
“Something’s got to give… India can’t get everything. The ICC [International Cricket Council] must say no to India at times. India even had an advantage at last year’s T20 World Cup, where they knew in advance where their semi-final would be played [in Guyana]. At the Champions Trophy, India did not have to travel at all. How can a team not travel during a tournament,” said Andy Roberts to the Mid-Day
Andy Roberts claimed that it is not fair for Team India. He claimed that India didn’t had to travel throughout the tournament. He claimed that it was not a level playing field.
“It is not fair, it’s not cricket. There has to be a level playing field. I know a lot of money comes from India, but cricket ought not to be a one-country sport. It now looks like a one-nation competition and the playing field is not level,” he added.
“To me, the ICC stands for the Indian Cricket Board. India dictates everything. If tomorrow, India says, ‘listen there should be no no-balls and wides,’ take my word, the ICC will find a way to satisfy India,” Roberts concluded.
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