The Magnified Focus on India at the Champions Trophy
Everything surrounding India often gets amplified, whether it’s praise or criticism. This Champions Trophy is no different, with India’s supposed home advantage being a recurring theme in press conferences. Due to geopolitical tensions, India has not traveled to Pakistan, the host nation, and has played all their matches, including the final, in Dubai. Meanwhile, other teams have had to shuttle between various Pakistani venues and Dubai to face India. This has led to speculation about two potential benefits for India: reduced travel fatigue and familiarity with a single pitch. However, the Indian camp, led by coach Gautam Gambhir, dismisses such notions.
Gambhir’s Firm Rebuttal to Advantage Claims
Gambhir, known for his no-nonsense approach, was understandably irked by the constant discussions of India’s supposed advantage. When asked about the conditions in Dubai and the decision to field five spinners, including three allrounders, Gambhir was quick to clarify. "First of all, this is as neutral a venue for us as it is for any other team," Gambhir stated. "We have not played here; I don’t remember the last time we did. And in fact, we didn’t plan anything like that. We picked two frontline spinners in the 15-man squad because this is a competition in the subcontinent, and we would have done the same regardless of the venue." He further emphasized that India had not practiced on the Dubai pitch, using the ICC Academy instead, where the conditions are entirely different. "What undue advantage? We haven’t practised here even for one day," Gambhir asserted, dismissing critics as "perpetual cribbers" who need to grow up.
Smith’s Perspective on the Advantage Debate
Unlike some of his contemporaries, Australian captain Steven Smith took a more balanced view of the situation. When asked about India’s perceived advantage, Smith remained composed. "Yeah, look, I’m not buying into it," he said. "India played some really good cricket here. The surface suits their style with the spinners they have and their seamers. They played well, they outplayed us, and they deserve the victory." Smith’s remarks reflect a level of sportsmanship and an acknowledgment of India’s outstanding performance, rather than attributing their success solely to external factors.
Shami’s Insight on Playing at One Venue
While Smith downplayed the advantage, India’s top wicket-taker, Mohammed Shami, did acknowledge the benefits of playing at the same venue. Shami is known for his thorough preparation, and playing all matches in Dubai has indeed helped him. "The main thing is to know the conditions and the behavior of the pitch well," Shami explained. "Because you are playing at one venue, you have an opportunity to get used to the conditions properly. At practice, I keep things simple and try to bowl according to the pitches for the match." When asked directly about the benefit, Shami said, "Definitely. Because you get to know the conditions, the behavior of the pitch. A lot of things… the way the weather was today, cool, your brain works even more. It can be said that it is a plus point that all your matches have been played at the same venue."
India’s Unbeaten Run and Future Prospects
India’s journey to the final has been nothing short of remarkable. They have not lost a single match in this tournament, following their strong performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup. Gambhir, while celebrating the team’s flawless display, remains cautious. "You used a very good word that we played ‘flawlessly,’" he said. "I think yes we did, but we still have one more game to go. We know that we are a good one-day side, and the most important thing is the way we’ve actually played throughout this competition. The hunger, the commitment, and the eagerness to do something special for the country is always there in the dressing room."
Maintaining Humility and Continual Improvement
Gambhir’s philosophy emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and humility. "In international sport, you want to keep improving. You don’t say that you’ve ticked all the boxes. There’s always room to improve, be it in batting, fielding, or bowling. And we still haven’t played a perfect game. We still have one more game to go. Hopefully, we can play a perfect game," he said. Gambhir’s vision for the team is clear: to stay humble, be ruthless on the field, and maintain a culture of honesty and continuous improvement in the dressing room. "And that is the kind of person I am. I will never be satisfied with the performances. We want to keep improving, be ruthless on the cricket field, but absolutely humble off the field as well." As India prepares for the final, they carry the weight of a nation’s hopes, but also the resolve to perform at their best and uphold the values they hold dear.
