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Former India spin-bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin is disappointed with the criticism around India having advantage of staying in one place in Dubai and playing all their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches at one venue. Ahead of the final, South Africa's David Miller's comments sparked further debate. Ashwin pointed out that in Champions Trophy 2009, South Africa played all their matches at home and still did not qualify for the final.
“Tournaments are won on the basis of performances, not excuses,” Ashwin said on his Hindi YouTube channel “Ash Ki Baat.”
“I am laughing when people ask our captain and coach the same question about having an advantage playing in Dubai. In the 2009 Champions Trophy, South Africa played all their games at the same venue and even then they failed to qualify for the knockouts. It was not South Africa’s fault that they didn’t qualify then. Teams qualified only because they play good cricket."
Ashwin's message - 'Don't buy into this narrative'
Ashwin is not happy with the narrative created around the advantage India have due to the hybrid model of Champions Trophy 2025. He is not happy with Indians getting influenced by the narrative.
“India is in the final because they have played solid cricket. No matter what happens in the final, they deserved to be finalists because of the kind of cricket they have played. Please don’t throw mud at our own cricketers because of someone else’s narrative.
“I know a Test team that travels to India, loses the series, and then blames it on the pitches. Imagine an Indian cricketer coming out and saying such things if we lost a series overseas. We never do that.
“If India wins this trophy, we will be winning the title back-to-back. Let’s celebrate them. Don’t buy into this narrative. Even Indian people buying into that narrative is something I have an issue with."
Kiwi head coach's statement upon reaching Dubai
Meanwhile, New Zealand's head coach Gary Stead has admitted that the travel has made it hard for players. However, he is currently focused on the players' recovery ahead of the final encounter on March 9.
"I think there is no doubt that coming here or playing Lahore and we had a full day of travel yesterday, then it just takes it out of you a little bit, but we have got a couple of days now of a little bit of recovery and a little bit of planning and training towards the game, but I guess we are deep into the tournament now and sometimes it is not always a lot of training that you need. It is just getting your body and your mind right to compete in the final, and that will be our key focus over the next two days."
Previous Champions Trophy final featuring India and New Zealand
The last time India and New Zealand met in the final of Champions Trophy was in the 2000 edition. India captain Sourav Ganguly's century went in vain as Chris Cairns's unbeaten ton took them over the line.
