India’s undefeated run in Champions Trophy 2025 has sparked debates over ‘home advantage,’ but Ravichandran Ashwin dismisses the claims, urging critics to acknowledge the team’s top-class performance.
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The Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand is set to be an intense showdown. India remains unbeaten in the tournament, while New Zealand’s only loss came against Rohit Sharma’s side in the group stage. This marks India’s third consecutive ICC limited-overs tournament final, following their appearances in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup.
A key debate leading up to the final has been India’s perceived ‘venue advantage.’ Unlike other teams that traveled across venues, India played all their matches in Dubai due to the BCCI’s decision to avoid sending the team to Pakistan, the original hosts of the Champions Trophy 2025.
Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin addressed these claims, calling out those pushing the ‘home advantage’ narrative.
“I can only laugh at the questions directed at our captain and coaches about ‘home advantage.’ In the 2009 Champions Trophy, South Africa played all their matches at the same venue and still did not qualify for the final. It wasn’t South Africa’s fault they didn’t make it. Let’s accept that India has played top-class cricket and reached the final on merit,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin also criticized the tendency of some teams and commentators to blame Indian pitches for their failures.
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“There’s one team that comes to India, loses 4-0, and then blames the pitch. To throw mud on our players with this narrative is unfair. Even Indian fans buying into this narrative is something I have an issue with,” he added.
However, despite his confidence in India’s performance, Ashwin admitted feeling nervous about the final.
“I still have nerves. I am not having the greatest of feelings. After New Zealand’s win against South Africa, I am thinking, ‘Once again, can they hurt us?’”
New Zealand coach Gary Stead also addressed the issue of travel and preparation for the final.
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“Coming here from Lahore and traveling takes a toll, but we have a couple of days for recovery and planning. At this stage, it’s more about getting your body and mind ready to compete in the final rather than heavy training,” Stead told the media.
With all eyes on the final, the debate over India’s so-called ‘venue advantage’ continues, but as Ashwin pointed out, India’s dominant run in the tournament speaks for itself.
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