Former West Indies cricketer Andy Roberts has strongly criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC), accusing it of favoring the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) during the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Originally scheduled to be hosted entirely by Pakistan, the tournament was played under a hybrid model, with all of India’s matches moved to Dubai. This arrangement, approved during an ICC board meeting, stated that any match involving India originally set to take place in Pakistan between 2024 and 2027 would be relocated to a neutral venue.
In a recent interview, Roberts claimed that the ICC gave India an unfair advantage during both the Champions Trophy and the T20 World Cup 2024. He alleged that India was pre-informed about their semi-final fixture against England in Guyana during the T20 World Cup.
“Something has to change… India can’t have it all. The ICC must stand up to India occasionally. Even at last year’s T20 World Cup, India had an advantage because they knew in advance where their semi-final would be played,” Roberts said.
“During the Champions Trophy, India didn’t have to travel at all. How is it fair for a team not to travel during a tournament?” he questioned.
The 74-year-old former fast bowler also accused the BCCI of wielding excessive influence over the ICC, shaping major decisions in international cricket.
“To me, the ICC stands for the Indian Cricket Board. India controls everything. If tomorrow, India says, ‘There should be no no-balls or wides,’ mark my words, the ICC will find a way to accommodate them,” he stated.
Former England captain Michael Atherton also raised similar concerns, pointing out India’s exclusive scheduling in Dubai as an unfair advantage.
“What about the advantage India has by playing exclusively in Dubai? It’s hard to quantify but undeniably significant. They’re playing at just one venue,” Atherton said.
“They don’t have to travel between venues or countries, unlike most other teams,” he added.
It is worth noting that India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 by defeating New Zealand by four wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This victory marked India’s third Champions Trophy title, having previously won in 2002 and 2013.
Chasing a target of 252, India comfortably reached the total with six wickets in hand and six balls to spare, further cementing their dominance in the tournament.
