India’s Champions Trophy Final Spot Sparks Controversy as Rajiv Shukla Hits Back at Critics!

During the Semi-Finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over Australia, advancing to their third consecutive final. Virat Kohli’s match-winning 84 runs helped India chase 265 runs in 48.1 overs, ensuring their spot in the title clash. However, controversy surrounded India’s matches, as all their games were played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, a venue considered spin-friendly.

Responding to allegations of an “unfair advantage”, BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla dismissed the claims, stating that India plays on skill, not pitches. He emphasized that the venue allocation was an ICC decision, and Australia would have won if pitch conditions alone determined results. He said:

When this decision was being made during the ICC meeting, it was decided that India-centric matches will be played in Dubai while the remaining games will be played in Dubai. So it’s not about fair or unfair, and the Indian cricket team doesn’t play depending on pitches. There are different kinds of pitches in Dubai ground as well. India play on performance; the players play on their skills, not on the basis of the pitch. For that, Australia should have won yesterday (Tuesday). But since they lost, the final would have to be played in Dubai. As far as bilateral cricket relations between India and Pakistan is concerned, the decision is in the hands of the government. Whatever the government of India tells us, we’ll go by that. Moreover, it’s the policy of the BCCI, and I guess it would be the same for the PCB as well, that whichever bilateral games should take place on the soil of either of the two nations. It shouldn’t take place at a neutral venue — it’s a consistent policy by the BCCI.

Shukla also clarified that there are no plans for an India-Pakistan bilateral series, as it depends on government directives. The two nations last played a bilateral ODI series in 2012-13 and have only faced off in ICC tournaments since. India will face New Zealand in the final on March 9 in Dubai after the Kiwis defeated South Africa in the second semi-final. With both teams aiming for the title, cricket fans can expect an intense showdown starting at 2:30 PM IST at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.