Gautam Gambhir, with conviction, lashes out at people accusing India of getting favorable conditions in Dubai

Gautam Gambhir lashed out at critics, who claimed that India have an unfair advantage in the Champions Trophy, playing in Dubai.

Gautam Gambhir, with conviction, lashes out at people accusing India of getting favorable conditions in Dubai

Indian cricket team coach Gautam Gambhir rebuffed criticism aimed at the team's unfair advantage, playing in Dubai. (via YouTube)

Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir confidently lashed out at critics questioning the hybrid nature of the ongoing 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. His comments came ahead of the much-awaited 2025 Champions Trophy final against New Zealand.

India gained an emphatic four-wicket victory over Australia, to make their way through to the final of the Champions Trophy. The final is set to be played at the Dubai International Stadium, a neutral venue chosen amid India’s decision to not play in Pakistan. All the other matches were played at three different venues in Pakistan, as the country got an opportunity to host an ICC event after almost three decades.

YouTube video

The BCCI remained firm in its decision to not send the Indian team to the rival nation, owing to security concerns. As a result of the Indian team’s decision, teams have had to travel to and fro from Pakistan to the UAE. Moreover, several players and critics have pointed to the Indian team getting an unfair advantage due to familiar playing conditions at a single venue.

However, Indian team coach Gautam Gambhir hit back at critics, urging them to stop with the ‘cribbing’. While confidently claiming that India did not get an undue advantage or an upper hand, he added that the Dubai venue is a neutral one for all teams. Gambhir also highlighted the fact that the team has been practicing at the ICC Academy, and has not once trained at the Dubai International Stadium.

This venue is as neutral for us as it is for the others. We haven’t even practiced once at this ground as of now. We practiced at the ICC Academy. Some people are just perpetual cribbers. They’ve got to grow up.

Gautam Gambhir to reporters (H/T ESPN CricInfo)

Nonetheless, keeping aside the criticism, Gautam Gambhir noted the team’s focus on winning the trophy. It would also be a great push to the former Indian opener’s managerial career, following two back-to-back Test series defeats after being appointed last year.

South African media outlets criticize Gautam Gambhir’s remarks on India’s ‘Dubai advantage’

There has been a lot of debate surrounding claims that India has an upper hand at the 2025 Champions Trophy, after having played at a single venue throughout the competition. The Men in Blue have played in Dubai, after refusing to travel to host nation, Pakistan.

Gautam Gambhir criticized
Gautam Gambhir was criticized for his comments on India’s ‘unfair Champions Trophy advantage’ by several foreign media outlets. (via Hindustan Times)

Indian team head coach Gautam Gambhir effectively brushed down claims of an ‘unfair advantage’, labeling critics as ‘perpetual cribbers’. However, his comments did not go down well with many. South African media outlet IOL.CO.ZA criticized the Indian coach, taking a shot at his arrogance. Moreover, it also went on to claim that India’s victory in the final would be a ‘hollow’ one.

The South African media outlet also went a step ahead, suggesting that Gambhir’s arrogance throughout the situation was ‘cringe-worthy’. Nonetheless, it remains to be seen which team wins, with the final scheduled on Sunday.