ICC favoured India in the Champions Trophy 2025 victory? Check details

India's triumph in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has sparked a fresh wave of criticism, with legendary West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts accusing the International Cricket Council (ICC) of favoring India. Roberts claimed that the governing body needs to stop yielding to India’s demands and ensure a fair and level playing field for all teams involved in international cricket. Under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, India won their record third Champions Trophy title, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final. While the victory was significant for Indian cricket, the tournament's organization and format have drawn some controversy.

Andy Roberts blasts ICC for India's scheduling in the Champions Trophy 2025

Notably, the Champions Trophy, officially hosted by Pakistan, saw an unusual arrangement where India played all its matches in Dubai due to the Indian government’s decision not to allow travel to Pakistan. This led to concerns about India gaining an unfair advantage by avoiding the challenges of playing in Pakistan, while other teams, such as New Zealand, had to contend with the added complexities of traveling between the host nations. Roberts’ comments reflect a growing sentiment that the ICC should ensure fairness and transparency in its decision-making, especially when it comes to tournament arrangements, and not be overly influenced by any one nation’s preferences.

While other teams had to travel between Pakistan and the UAE, India played all their matches at a single venue throughout the 19-day ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tournament. This raised questions about the fairness of the tournament structure and sparked discussions about whether the ICC had given India an unfair advantage. India's consistent base in Dubai, a venue familiar to the team, meant they didn’t experience the travel fatigue that other sides had to endure, having to move between multiple cities. The reduced travel meant the Indian players could maintain their focus and preparation levels without the disruption of long-distance travel, which was a significant factor in their performance.

The familiarity of playing in Dubai, a venue that has suited India's style of play, added another layer of advantage. Critics have pointed out that this setup allowed the Indian team to settle in more comfortably, while other teams had to adapt to different conditions and travel schedules. This, they argue, contributed to India’s success in the tournament, leading some to question whether the ICC should have made more balanced arrangements for all teams involved.

"Something’s got to give. India can’t get everything. The ICC must say no to India at times. India even had an advantage at last year’s T20 World Cup, where they knew in advance where their semi-final would be played. At the Champions Trophy, India did not have to travel at all. How can a team not travel during a tournament?" stated former West Indies cricketer Andy Roberts in a recent interview. 

The legendary fast bowler further criticized the ICC for being overly accommodating toward India, alleging that the organization is heavily influenced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). According to Roberts, the governing body’s decisions seem to be shaped by India’s demands, raising concerns about the balance of power within international cricket. He argued that this influence could undermine the fairness and impartiality of tournaments, as the ICC may prioritize India’s interests over those of other cricketing nations. Roberts expressed that such favoritism could lead to an unlevel playing field, where decisions are swayed by the BCCI’s immense financial and organizational power.

The West Indian icon’s comments reflect growing concerns over India’s dominant position in world cricket and the potential consequences for the sport's governance. His remarks have ignited debates about the ICC’s independence and whether it is doing enough to ensure that all teams have equal opportunities, irrespective of their size or financial clout. Critics of the ICC's policies argue that a more transparent and fair approach is needed to preserve the integrity of international cricket tournaments.

“It is not fair, it’s not cricket. There has to be a level playing field. I know a lot of money comes from India, but cricket ought not to be a one-country sport. To me, the ICC stands for the Indian Cricket Board. India dictates everything. If tomorrow, India says, ‘listen there should be no no-balls and wides,’ take my word, the ICC will find a way to satisfy India," Roberts added.