Veteran Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has opened up about the criticism surrounding India’s advantage in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Starc agreed that the Rohit Sharma-led team had a significant advantage by playing all their matches at a single venue, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

India played all their matches in Dubai, while other teams competed in Pakistan and had to travel to Dubai for matches against India. Critics claimed that this gave India an unfair advantage, as they were already familiar with the playing conditions and did not have to deal with travel, unlike the other teams.

I Would Tend to Agree with Some of the Opinions – Mitchell Starc

The debate over India’s advantage in the Champions Trophy has sparked strong opinions from both sides. While fans and experts have criticized the advantage, the Indian camp has firmly defended its position.

Speaking on Fanatics TV’s YouTube channel, Mitchell Starc stated that India faced no logistical challenges. He added that they trained at the same venue and played every match under familiar conditions. Starc said he understood the frustrations of the other seven teams and some broadcasters.

“When one team gets to stay at one place, no flights, no restrictions upon them in the place, train at the same venue every time, play every game at the same venue, I would tend to agree with some of the opinions that have come out. I can understand where a lot of the guys in the other seven teams were coming from and some opinions from broadcasters,” Mitchell Starc said on Fanatics TV’s YouTube channel.

They Are a Bloody Good Cricket Team – Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc emphasized that India won the tournament fairly despite the criticism. He stated that India proved they were the better team across formats.

The Men in Blue have lost only one match in the last three ICC white-ball events, including their unbeaten run in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they won seven consecutive matches to claim the title.

“There’s been a lot made on that topic. Obviously, India tried to push that to the side and say it’s a neutral venue, but there’s been a lot to come out of the tournament during and post. India won fair and square, they were the better team, they are a bloody good cricket team, and have been across all formats for a long time,” Starc said in the same interview.

India Have Won 23 of Their Last 25 Matches Across the Last Three ICC Tournaments

India finished the tournament unbeaten in the Champions Trophy. They won all their group-stage matches against New Zealand, Bangladesh, and Pakistan before defeating Australia in the semifinals and New Zealand in the final.

New Zealand covered nearly 7,000 kilometres throughout the tournament. They played India in Dubai on March 2, travelled to Lahore for the semifinal against Pakistan on March 5, and then returned to Dubai for the final.

India’s recent ICC record has been exceptional, winning 23 of their last 25 matches across the last three tournaments. They have suffered only one defeat, with one match ending in no result. India will host the T20 World Cup next year.

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