The former World Cup-winning bowler of the West Indies, Andy Roberts, recently criticized India for taking an unfair advantage ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 by playing all of their games at the same ground, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where other sides traveled to the venue to face the Rohit Sharma’s army.
The 2013 title winners faced Bangladesh in the opening game of the fixture before taking on the arch-rivals, Pakistan. Their last group-stage fixture ended against New Zealand before they took on Australia in the first semifinal game of the competition. They finished with an unbeaten run, with a victory against the Blackcaps.
“The ICC must say no to India at times”- Andy Roberts
West Indies didn’t qualify for the last ODI World Cup due to their poor performance in the format and also couldn’t play in the Champions Trophy 2025. Their former pacer, Andy Roberts, reckoned that the International Cricket Council (ICC) must sometimes say no to India.
Also Read: “KL Rahul Is India’s Mr. Fixit”- Mitchell Starc Ignores Virat Kohli’s Contribution In Champions Trophy
“Something’s got to give. India can’t get everything. The ICC must say no to them at times. They 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, They did not have to travel at all. How can a team not travel during a tournament.” Roberts expressed in a recent interaction on Mid-Day.
He questioned the fairness of the event where Pakistan, despite being the official host of the event, needed to travel to Dubai to face the Blue Brigade in the group-stage encounter.
“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. If tomorrow, India says, ‘Listen, there should be no no-balls and wides,’ take my word, the ICC will find a way to satisfy them.” Roberts lamented.
Another former World Cup winning batter, Viv Richards, also calls for the ICC to take action against the BCCI, who, according to them, is taking all the advantage.
“I don’t want to get into the political side of things. But I believe the people who are responsible, in terms of the governing and the ruling of the game in itself is the ICC. I would like them to come up with an answer, why?” The former West Indies batter, Vivian Richards, noted during the International Masters League.
The former Pakistani spinner, Danish Kaneria, criticized Roberts for such comments as he questioned how the Green Brigade, under the leadership of Babar Azam, lost the game against the USA in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He also questioned how no one raised the point of the unfair advantage after the schedule was announced.
“Semifinal venues are announced well before the tournament begins, so not sure what the issue is. The Champions Trophy was different, hosted by Pakistan, with India playing in Dubai. No one raised concerns about them beforehand.” Danish Kaneria addressed.
Also Read: Cheteshwar Pujara Slams BCCI Selectors for Australia Tour Snub; Gives Clear Threat For England Tour
“Why did Pakistan lose to the USA and get eliminated? Why did Pakistan lose to NZ on home ground? Why doesn’t the West Indies qualify for ICC tournaments?” He wondered.
India to face England in five Tests in June
The BCCI will go for a break due to the IPL, which will begin on March 22. Most of the players have joined their respective franchises and started preparation for the tournament.
The next assignment for the blue brigade will be against England away from home in a five-match series, which is the first fixture for them in the 2025-27 season of the World Test Championship (WTC).
Pakistan Spinner Rips Apart Andy Roberts’ Comments On Advantage India In Champions Trophy 2025
Published - 13 Mar 2025, 06:43 PM | Updated - 13 Mar 2025, 11:38 PM
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The former World Cup-winning bowler of the West Indies, Andy Roberts, recently criticized India for taking an unfair advantage ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 by playing all of their games at the same ground, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where other sides traveled to the venue to face the Rohit Sharma’s army.
The 2013 title winners faced Bangladesh in the opening game of the fixture before taking on the arch-rivals, Pakistan. Their last group-stage fixture ended against New Zealand before they took on Australia in the first semifinal game of the competition. They finished with an unbeaten run, with a victory against the Blackcaps.
“The ICC must say no to India at times”- Andy Roberts
West Indies didn’t qualify for the last ODI World Cup due to their poor performance in the format and also couldn’t play in the Champions Trophy 2025. Their former pacer, Andy Roberts, reckoned that the International Cricket Council (ICC) must sometimes say no to India.
Also Read: “KL Rahul Is India’s Mr. Fixit”- Mitchell Starc Ignores Virat Kohli’s Contribution In Champions Trophy
“Something’s got to give. India can’t get everything. The ICC must say no to them at times. They 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, They did not have to travel at all. How can a team not travel during a tournament.” Roberts expressed in a recent interaction on Mid-Day.
He questioned the fairness of the event where Pakistan, despite being the official host of the event, needed to travel to Dubai to face the Blue Brigade in the group-stage encounter.
“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. If tomorrow, India says, ‘Listen, there should be no no-balls and wides,’ take my word, the ICC will find a way to satisfy them.” Roberts lamented.
Another former World Cup winning batter, Viv Richards, also calls for the ICC to take action against the BCCI, who, according to them, is taking all the advantage.
“I don’t want to get into the political side of things. But I believe the people who are responsible, in terms of the governing and the ruling of the game in itself is the ICC. I would like them to come up with an answer, why?” The former West Indies batter, Vivian Richards, noted during the International Masters League.
Danish Kaneria slams Andy Roberts’ comment
The former Pakistani spinner, Danish Kaneria, criticized Roberts for such comments as he questioned how the Green Brigade, under the leadership of Babar Azam, lost the game against the USA in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He also questioned how no one raised the point of the unfair advantage after the schedule was announced.
“Semifinal venues are announced well before the tournament begins, so not sure what the issue is. The Champions Trophy was different, hosted by Pakistan, with India playing in Dubai. No one raised concerns about them beforehand.” Danish Kaneria addressed.
Also Read: Cheteshwar Pujara Slams BCCI Selectors for Australia Tour Snub; Gives Clear Threat For England Tour
“Why did Pakistan lose to the USA and get eliminated? Why did Pakistan lose to NZ on home ground? Why doesn’t the West Indies qualify for ICC tournaments?” He wondered.
India to face England in five Tests in June
The BCCI will go for a break due to the IPL, which will begin on March 22. Most of the players have joined their respective franchises and started preparation for the tournament.
The next assignment for the blue brigade will be against England away from home in a five-match series, which is the first fixture for them in the 2025-27 season of the World Test Championship (WTC).
Tagged:
India National Cricket Team ICC Champions Trophy Andy Roberts Danish Kaneria Pakistan National Cricket Team