No certainty in cricket, but this was close

While there’s no absolute certainty in a cricket match when pre-determining the winner, this is about as close as it gets.

Firstly, the India cricket team was playing the best cricket in the tournament, and their progression to the final was expected.

However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) saw to it that its team would not travel to Pakistan during the Champions Trophy due to legitimate safety concerns for their players and staff.

While their security concerns are legitimate, the double standards at play with the International Cricket Council (ICC) when it comes to India are farcical.

It meant that for the tournament co-hosted in Pakistan and the UAE, India was the only team that did not travel to different venues. The other seven teams all had to go through the usual travel challenges during the tournament, while India played at one venue and therefore became intimately accustomed to playing conditions.

That was probably the biggest advantage they gained in terms of winning matches.

I believe the tournament should have had similar travel conditions for all eight teams, and if that couldn’t be organised, then India should not have been allowed into the event and another nation called up.

That would never happen though, as the BCCI dictates matters to the ICC and is the epitome of nepotism. That’s why I believe that though the history books will reflect India as the 2025 Champions Trophy winners, there should be a disclaimer to this title.

@Michael_Sherman

IOL Sport

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