Glenn McGrath's view on India's 'unfair advantage' in Champions Trophy: How Their IPL and T20 cricket has...

Throughout the 2025 Champions Trophy and beyond, the discussion has revolved around India's decision to play all their matches in Dubai. Former Australian fast bowler, Glenn McGrath, has weighed in on the debate, suggesting that India's victory was not solely due to playing in familiar spinning conditions. McGrath emphasized that India's superior skills in ODI cricket and their ability to adapt to various conditions were key factors in their success. He highlighted that India's success was a result of their overall proficiency rather than simply playing in Dubai.

“It is the way it is. India does not travel to Pakistan anymore. There was only one other thing — the matches had to be played in Dubai,” McGrath is quoted as saying by the Times of India. “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.”

‘India know the ODI game very well’

The Champions Trophy, which India won after beating New Zealand in the final, also came amid dwindling number of ODI matches being played between teams. India themselves played just one ODI series in the time since

India themselves played just three ODI series, each consisting just three matches each, between the final of the World Cup on November 19, 2023 and the start of the Champions Trophy. One of those, against England earlier this year, was pretty much a warm-up for the Champions Trophy itself. McGrath said that the ODI format needs to protected and India know how to play it better than most.

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

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