Glenn McGrath puts an end to India's 'Dubai advantage' narrative started by former England captains, says 'India doesn't travel to Pakistan anymore. There was only...'

Glenn McGrath puts an end to India's 'Dubai advantage' narrative started by former England captains, says 'India doesn't travel to Pakistan anymore. There was only...'
Glenn McGrath of Australia celebrates the wicket of Nasser Hussain of England during the opening day of the Ashes first Test match at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

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Glenn McGrath does not believe India had an unfair advantage playing all their matches in Dubai.

McGrath said that India does not travel to Pakistan anymore so 'it is the way it is'.

McGrath credited IPL for India's sucess in ODI cricket.

Australia's legendary bowler Glenn McGrath has quashed the narrative that India had 'Dubai advantage' as they played all their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches at a single venue. Australia's legendary bowler Glenn McGrath has quashed the narrative that India had 'Dubai advantage' as they played all their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches at a single venue.

McGrath said that India haven't travelled to Pakistan in a long time and the Rohit Sharma-led side did very well to adapt to the conditions in Dubai.

“It is the way it is," McGrath told The Times of India. “India does not travel to Pakistan anymore. There was only one other thing – the matches had to be played in Dubai. You have to give credit to India; they played to the conditions. They know how to play on spinning tracks.

 

 

“I do not think that they had an unfair advantage. It is like saying there is an unfair advantage if India play all their matches in India, if Australia play all their matches in Australia," he added.

 

 

Earlier, former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton, Australian captain Pat Cummins, South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller had also said that playing in Dubai favoured India. It led to widespread criticism of the International Cricket Council (ICC), especially by West Indies' legendary cricketers Viv Richards and Andy Roberts. 

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McGrath on IPL helping India's ODI cricket

McGrath credited the Indian Premier League (IPL) and T20I cricket for having a major impact on India's ODI brand of cricket.

“Their IPL and T20 cricket has had a positive impact on one-day cricket. India are confident and they know their game well," he said.

 

 

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“It is important to protect Test cricket, but ODIs and World Cups are very important as well. India know the ODI game very well. It is a challenge for other teams to come over to India and play well. I like them to be challenged, but India are a quality team," the 55-year-old added.

 

 

In the last few years, India reached the ODI World Cup 2023 final at home, won the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and USA followed by the Champions Trophy 2025 title.