Sourav Ganguly discusses the implications of India playing all its Champions Trophy 2025 matches in Dubai instead of Pakistan, emphasizing how security issues influenced this decision. He notes that Indian players are missing valuable experiences and highlights the difference in pitch conditions. Ganguly expresses confidence in India’s strength against New Zealand while also mentioning the need for improved performance in red-ball cricket.
Sourav Ganguly, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, expressed concern that prominent players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shreyas Iyer may feel disappointed for not having the opportunity to play in Pakistan during the Champions Trophy 2025. His remarks arose amid discussions regarding India playing all its matches in Dubai, which has been criticized as providing them with an “undue advantage.” However, Ganguly believes this situation stems from the Indian government’s security restrictions that prevent the team from competing in Pakistan.
The choice to conduct matches exclusively in Dubai followed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) deciding against traveling to Pakistan due to ongoing political hostilities. Ganguly emphasized this choice was not made voluntarily, stating, “I don’t think India has agreed to play all their matches in Dubai on their will. It’s because they cannot go to Pakistan, the government of India doesn’t allow them to go to Pakistan.” This diplomatic conflict has resulted in no bilateral series taking place since 2012 between the two nations.
Ganguly highlighted that players like Kohli and Iyer likely feel regret about missing the chance to play on the famed pitches of Karachi and Lahore, which have seen higher run-scoring rates. He noted, “I am sure that the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer will feel sad that they can’t bat on those pitches where the opposition are scoring 350 runs. I don’t think there is any undue advantage at play here.”
He further observed that while India’s highest score in Dubai during the tournament was 267 against Australia, Pakistan’s matches recorded multiple scores exceeding 350 runs, indicative of the pitch conditions in Pakistan. Ganguly reminisced about the allocation of the Champions Trophy to Pakistan in 2020, of which he was an instrumental part as BCCI president at that time.
Looking ahead to the final match against New Zealand, he noted, “New Zealand are probably the toughest opposition for India at the moment. Their batting and spin bowling are formidable. But I think India’s batting is stronger.” Furthermore, Ganguly commended India’s performance in white-ball cricket, highlighting remarkable achievements reaching the finals in three significant ICC events but noted that improvements are needed in red-ball cricket for the team under Rohit Sharma’s leadership.
In summary, Sourav Ganguly articulates the nuances surrounding India’s participation in the Champions Trophy 2025, emphasizing the challenges faced due to bilateral tensions with Pakistan. He acknowledges the missed opportunities for Indian players to experience playing in Pakistan and asserts that the playing conditions in Dubai should not be misconstrued as an unfair advantage. Furthermore, he expresses optimism regarding India’s prospects against New Zealand while highlighting areas for improvement in the longer format of the game.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
