Australian skipper Pat Cummins has raised concerns over India enjoying a significant advantage in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 - as all of their matches are being played in Dubai - while other teams are traveling across multiple venues in Pakistan.
Cummins, who opted out of the tournament to recover from an ankle injury and be with his family for the birth of his second child, pointed out the disparity, saying that playing at the same venue gives India an edge over other competing nations.
"I think it's good that the tournament can go on, but obviously it does give them (India) a huge advantage playing on the same ground," Cummins told Yahoo Sports Australia. "They already look very strong, and they've got that obvious benefit of playing all their games there."
Hybrid model raises questions
The ICC had initially scheduled all matches in Pakistan but was forced to adopt a hybrid model after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to send its team across the border due to security concerns. As a result, India's matches have been scheduled in Dubai, while fixtures in Pakistan are being played across Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.
Despite the scheduling controversy, Rohit Sharma’s men have made a strong start, defeating Bangladesh and arch-rivals Pakistan by six wickets each. The back-to-back wins have secured India’s place in the semifinals, alongside New Zealand from Group A, while Bangladesh and Pakistan have been eliminated.
The Indian team will also play the first semifinal in Dubai, further reinforcing the concerns raised by Cummins regarding their continued presence at a single venue.
Cummins eyes return amid Australia's strong start
Meanwhile, Australia, led by Steve Smith in Cummins' absence, opened their campaign with a commanding victory over England in Lahore. Wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis starred in the chase with an unbeaten 120 off 86 balls, helping Australia overhaul England’s 352-run total.
Reflecting on his decision to skip the tournament, Cummins said, "It’s been great to be at home during this time, and my ankle rehab is going well. I’ll start running and bowling this week, and there’s a lot to look forward to with the IPL, the Test Championship, and the West Indies tour."
Cummins is set to return to action next month, leading SunRisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which begins on March 22.
The ICC has yet to respond to Cummins’ concerns, but with the tournament entering its crucial knockout phase, debates around the hybrid model and India's venue advantage are expected to persist.
