'India Know The ODI Game Very Well': Glenn McGrath Shuts Down Champions Trophy 'Unfair Advantage' Theory For Good

'India Know The ODI Game Very Well': Glenn McGrath Shuts Down Champions Trophy 'Unfair Advantage' Theory For Good

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Last Updated: March 15, 2025, 08:26 IST

Rohit Sharma-led India played all their matches in Dubai which has been deemed as an advantage by a few current and former cricketers.

Glenn McGrath (left) praises a high-quality India ODI squad. (AFP/AP)

Midway during India’s victorious Champions Trophy campaign, former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain stirred the pot by claiming that Rohit Sharma‘s men are benefitting from the advantage of playing at a single venue unlike their opponents. Due to the geopolitical tensions with Pakistan, India didn’t travel to Pakistan for the ICC tournament and played all their matches including semifinal and the final in Dubai as per the Hybrid Model. The matches not involving India were held in three venues across Pakistan.

Besides the two former England cricketers, Rassie van der Dussen and Pat Cummins also voiced their opinions on Indian players not having to travel during the tournament. South African David Miller had vented his frustration after the team’s semifinal defeat to New Zealand about his team’s ‘not ideal’ semifinal scheduling.

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Australia legend Glenn McGrath differs and thinks India didn’t have an “unfair advantage" while praising them for playing according to the conditions.

“It is the way it is," McGrath told The Times of India. “India does not travel to Pakistan anymore. There was only one other thing – the matches had to be played in Dubai. You have to give credit to India; they played to the conditions. They know how to play on spinning tracks."

“I do not think that they had an unfair advantage. It is like saying there is an unfair advantage if India play all their matches in India, if Australia play all their matches in Australia," he added.

Mcgrath, widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers to have played the game, pointed out how the IPL has made a positive impact on India’s one-day cricket.

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“Their IPL and T20 cricket has had a positive impact on one-day cricket. India are confident and they know their game well," he said.

“It is important to protect Test cricket, but ODIs and World Cups are very important as well. India know the ODI game very well. It is a challenge for other teams to come over to India and play well. I like them to be challenged, but India are a quality team," he added.

First Published: March 15, 2025, 08:26 IST

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