A frequent topic of discussion throughout the 2025 Champions Trophy and afterward has centered around India playing all their matches in Dubai. Glenn McGrath, the legendary Australian fast bowler, has now stated that India triumphed due to their expertise in spinning conditions and overall superiority in ODI cricket, emphasizing that playing in Dubai alone did not offer them any significant advantage.
“It’s just how things are now. India doesn’t travel to Pakistan anymore. There was only one exception the matches had to be held in Dubai. You have to acknowledge India for adapting to the conditions. They know how to perform on spinning pitches. I wouldn’t say they had an unfair advantage. It’s similar to saying there’s an unfair advantage if India plays all their games in India, or if Australia plays all theirs in Australia.” McGrath stated, as quoted by the Times of India.
India won the Champions Trophy by defeating New Zealand in the final, which came at a time when the number of ODI matches between teams was on the decline. In fact, since the 2023 World Cup final on November 19, India participated in just three ODI series, each consisting of three matches. One of these, against England earlier this year, largely served as a warm-up for the Champions Trophy. McGrath noted the importance of protecting the ODI format, adding that India excels more than most teams.
“India’s IPL and T20 cricket have certainly contributed positively to the development of one-day cricket. The team is full of confidence, and they truly understand their game. While it’s important to protect Test cricket, ODIs and World Cups hold significant value too. India excels in the ODI format, and it’s a challenge for other teams to go to India and perform well. I enjoy seeing them face challenges, but there’s no denying that India is a top-quality team,” McGrath added.