Pakistan’s Champions Trophy journey has come to an end, with defeats against New Zealand and India, and a washed-out match against Bangladesh. Following the loss to India, Pakistan coach Aqib Javed made a statement that raised a few eyebrows. He suggested that the Indian team was benefiting from playing all their matches in Dubai, implying that the familiarity with the ground was giving them an unfair advantage. This comment was echoed by former England captains Nasir Hussain and Michael Atherton, who seemed to agree with Aqib Javed’s assessment.
Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has now responded to these comments, and his reply is nothing short of scathing. Gavaskar believes that instead of moaning about the Indian team’s supposed advantage, these individuals should focus on their own team’s performance. He pointed out that they are experienced and intelligent people who should be investigating why their team failed to qualify, rather than making excuses. Gavaskar also reminded them that India has a huge contribution to make in world cricket, and that their salaries are, in fact, dependent on the revenue generated by Indian cricket. “You get salary due to Indian cricket,” he said, driving home the point that India’s financial clout is a significant factor in the world of cricket.
It’s worth noting that Pakistan is hosting an ICC tournament after a gap of almost 29 years, but the Indian team did not tour Pakistan. Instead, they are playing in Dubai under a hybrid model. So far, the Indian team, captained by Rohit Sharma, has had a successful campaign, defeating both Bangladesh and Pakistan. Their next match is against New Zealand on March 2, which will be their last league stage match.
The Context of the Tournament
The Champions Trophy has been an exciting tournament so far, with several teams showcasing their skills. However, the controversy surrounding the Indian team’s supposed advantage has taken center stage. While Aqib Javed and others may have a point about the familiarity of the ground, Sunil Gavaskar’s response highlights the importance of focusing on one’s own team’s performance rather than making excuses.
A Look Ahead
As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see how the Indian team performs in their upcoming match against New Zealand. Will they continue their winning streak, or will the Kiwis be able to pull off an upset? One thing is certain – the cricketing world will be watching with bated breath.