Pat Cummins About India’s Champions Trophy Advantage

The Champions Trophy 2025 has reached its crucial group stage, and while the cricketing action remains intense, the pre-tournament controversies refuse to die down. Among the biggest concerns has been the decision to have IND play all their matches in Dubai, bypassing PAK as the host nation. This move, stemming from political tensions, has sparked debates within the cricketing fraternity, with AUS captain Pat Cummins voicing his concerns about the potential advantage this gives IND.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been under scrutiny for its hybrid model, allowing IND to play exclusively at the Dubai International Stadium while other teams, including PAK, ENG, and AUS, have had to travel across multiple venues. Despite no logistical complaints about PAK’s hosting capabilities, the decision has raised eyebrows, with critics arguing that IND's familiarity with the Dubai pitch provides an unfair competitive edge.

Cummins, who opted out of the tournament due to an ankle injury and personal commitments, spoke to Yahoo Sports AUS about the situation. “I think it's good that the tournament can go on, but obviously it does give them (IND) a huge advantage playing on the same ground. They already look very strong and have that obvious benefit of playing all their games there,” he said. His remarks echo the sentiments of many experts who believe that consistency in conditions significantly favors IND, potentially influencing match outcomes.

So far, IND has lived up to expectations, registering dominant performances. They kicked off their campaign with a six-wicket victory over BAN, where Shubman Gill’s unbeaten century played a pivotal role. Their next encounter saw them take on arch-rivals PAK, securing another convincing six-wicket win. In this high-voltage clash, Virat Kohli led the chase with an unbeaten century (100* off 111 balls), ably supported by Shreyas Iyer’s 56 off 67 balls. PAK’s bowlers, including Shaheen Afridi, struggled to contain IND’s batting lineup despite initial breakthroughs.

The bowling unit for IND also delivered, with Kuldeep Yadav claiming three wickets and Hardik Pandya chipping in with two crucial dismissals. Their efforts restricted PAK to 241 runs in 49.4 overs, with Saud Shakeel being the lone standout performer for PAK, scoring 62 off 76 balls. With this defeat, PAK now faces an uphill battle to qualify for the semi-finals, and skipper Mohammad Rizwan openly admitted post-match that their campaign is in jeopardy, requiring a miracle to progress.

As things stand, IND’s semi-final berth looks all but confirmed. If results go their way, their final group-stage match against NZ could serve as nothing more than a preparatory game ahead of the knockouts. The team has showcased dominance, with their adaptability to the Dubai pitch playing a significant role in their victories. However, this very aspect is what critics, including Cummins, believe is creating an imbalance in the tournament.

Cummins’ decision to skip the Champions Trophy was influenced by personal and professional reasons. He is currently at home in AUS, preparing to welcome his second child while also recovering from his ankle injury. He plans to return to action in the upcoming IPL, where he will lead SRH in their campaign starting March 22. Reflecting on his absence from the Champions Trophy, Cummins said, “It's been nice to be at home with everything going on. The ankle rehab is tracking well, so I will start running and bowling this week. There’s a lot to look forward to with the IPL, the Test World Championship, and a tour to WI.”

In his absence, Steve Smith has taken charge of the AUS squad. They opened their tournament with a thrilling win over ENG in Lahore, successfully chasing 352 runs, thanks to Josh Inglis’ stunning 120* off 86 balls. Cummins was full of praise for the young batter, stating, “It feels like this was his breakout performance. He’s dynamic against spin, uses reverse ramps against high-speed bowling, and is all class. With hundreds in all three formats now, he’s proved himself on the big stage.”

As the tournament progresses, the debate around IND’s home-like advantage in Dubai is unlikely to fade anytime soon. The team’s formidable performances only strengthen arguments that playing at a single venue provides familiarity and reduces adaptability challenges. With the knockouts approaching, the focus remains on whether any team can overcome IND’s dominant run or if their Dubai stronghold will carry them all the way to the title.