West Indies great blasts ICC, says it bows to India’s demands

Former West Indies cricketer Andy Roberts has sharply criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC), accusing it of bowing to the demands of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) during the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Originally slated to be hosted by Pakistan, the tournament was conducted under a hybrid model, with all of India's matches relocated to Dubai.

This arrangement, sanctioned during an ICC board meeting, stipulated that between 2024 and 2027, any match originally scheduled in Pakistan involving India would be shifted to a neutral venue.

During a recent interview, Roberts accused the ICC of giving India an unfair advantage in both the Champions Trophy and the T20 World Cup 2024, where India was allegedly pre-informed about their semi-final fixture against England in Guyana.

“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,” Roberts said.

“At the Champions Trophy, India did not have to travel at all. How can a team not travel during a tournament?" he questioned.

The 74-year-old further claimed that the BCCI holds significant influence over the ICC, dictating major decisions in international cricket.

“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,” he remarked.

Former England captain Michael Atherton also echoed similar concerns, highlighting India’s exclusive scheduling in Dubai as an undue advantage.

“What about the advantage India has in playing in Dubai, only in Dubai, which seems to me to be hard to quantify but an undeniable advantage? They’re playing at just one venue,” Atherton said.

“They don’t have to travel either between venues or, you know, between countries, as a lot of other teams have to do,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention that India clinched the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title by defeating New Zealand by four wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

This marked India’s third Champions Trophy triumph, having previously won in 2002 and 2013.

Chasing a target of 252, the 2013 champions comfortably reached the total with six wickets in hand and six balls to spare.