After securing a spot in the Champions Trophy final with a thrilling win over Australia, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir did not hold back when addressing the criticism surrounding the team’s matches being played exclusively in Dubai. He strongly dismissed allegations that India had an unfair advantage, labeling those who raised such concerns as “perpetual cribbers (habitual complainers)”.
India’s decision to stay in Dubai stemmed from their refusal to travel to Pakistan, the official host of the tournament, due to political and security concerns. While other teams had to shuttle between multiple venues, including some between two countries, India remained stationed in Dubai, where they maintained an unbeaten streak on their way to the final.
The scheduling debate gained traction when former England cricketers Nasser Hussain and Mike Atherton, along with active players like South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen and Australia’s Pat Cummins, questioned whether India’s fixed venue gave them a distinct edge over the competition. Their concerns intensified when South Africa had to travel to Dubai without knowing their semi-final opponent, only to return to Pakistan for their match in Lahore, while India was assured of playing in Dubai from the outset.
Although Gambhir was not directly asked about these accusations in the post-match press conference, the topic surfaced when he was questioned about India’s team selection and captain Rohit Sharma’s form. He firmly defended the squad’s composition, insisting that India would have opted for the same team even if they had played in Pakistan, as the conditions across the subcontinent favored their chosen strategy.
Expressing frustration over the repeated claims of an unfair advantage, Gambhir emphasised that India had no prior experience playing at the Dubai venue in recent years and had not even trained there during the tournament. He dismissed the notion of undue benefits, asserting that their practice sessions took place at the ICC Academy, where the playing conditions differed drastically from the main stadium.
He did not mince words when calling out the critics, stating that some individuals simply enjoy complaining and need to grow up. He reiterated that there was no deliberate planning behind India’s venue placement and that their success was purely a result of preparation and execution.
With India now awaiting the winner of the second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand, the team is focused on the ultimate showdown in Dubai, undeterred by the external noise surrounding their campaign.
