Indian Coach Dismisses Allegations of Favouritism in Champions Trophy: ‘What Advantage?’

Indian coach Gautam Gambhir has responded to accusations of favouritism following his team’s elimination of Australia from the Champions Trophy on Wednesday morning.

With this victory, India now prepares to face either New Zealand or South Africa in the final, benefiting from an additional day’s rest leading up to the trophy match.

This extra rest further enhances the advantages India has experienced throughout the tournament.

Despite the reigning champions earning the right to host the Champions Trophy, the influential BCCI opted not to travel to Pakistan.

Concerns over political tensions and safety informed this decision, although every other team has been based in Pakistan under tight security protocols.

India has remained in Dubai, playing all its matches on the same pitch at the same venue, while other teams have had to travel and play on various pitches.

Several former high-profile players and commentators have highlighted the clear advantage that India holds in the tournament, yet Gambhir insists no such advantage exists.

“Firstly, this venue is as neutral for us as it is for any other team,” Gambhir responded at the press conference held after Wednesday’s victory.

“We haven’t competed here before—I can’t recall the last tournament we played at this ground. In fact, we didn’t organise anything specific to gain an advantage.

“There’s been much talk about unfair advantages, but what unfair advantage are we talking about?

“We haven’t even trained here for a single day. Our training sessions have taken place at the ICC Academy.

“The difference between the pitches there and here is like the difference between night and day. Some critics really need to mature.

“I believe there’s no such thing as an unfair advantage or any preconceived plan on our part.”

The situation drew attention on Sunday when both Australia and South Africa flew from Lahore to Dubai.

This was a risk, as India’s game against New Zealand determined the location of each semi-final but not the timing—the BCCI had already ensured India would compete in the first semi-final.

Australia won the gamble, remaining in Dubai, while South Africa had to make a return trip to Lahore to face the Kiwis on Wednesday night.

Australian captain Steve Smith confirmed the stark contrasts between the pitches in Lahore and Dubai, a situation India was fortunate not to have to deal with.

“The pitches we played on are completely different,” Smith noted.

“The Dubai wicket is quite slow and two-paced, taking some spin, while the Gaddafi pitch [in Lahore] is arguably one of the best one-day wickets for batting. The ball comes on nicely, and the outfield is lightning fast—there are definite differences there.”

Furthermore, Gambhir refuted suggestions that India had the foresight to select its line-up with the Dubai pitch in mind.

“The decision to include two front-line spinners in the 15-man squad was made in anticipation of playing in the subcontinent, regardless of whether we played in Pakistan or elsewhere,” he explained.

“It was never about setting a trap for spinners.

“In fact, we used just one front-line spinner in the first three matches and only played two front-line spinners in this match or the previous one. So it was nothing like that.”