“Final in ODI WC, T20 WC and Champions Trophy”: Gavaskar gives a befitting reply to Viv, Hussain and Atherton
Shortly after India’s triumph in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, Sunil Gavaskar hailed Rohit Sharma and his team as the “best white-ball side in the world.” India secured their third Champions Trophy title, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Their previous titles came in 2002 and 2013.
This win marked India’s second ICC trophy in eight months. In 2024, Rohit’s men ended a decade-long trophy drought by clinching the T20 World Cup. They had also reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup but fell short against Australia.
Debate surrounded India’s venue in Dubai, with analysts like Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, and Vivian Richards suggesting it gave them an advantage. However, Gavaskar dismissed these claims, stating that “cribbers will always crib,” but India’s dominance in white-ball cricket is undeniable.
“A team that makes it to all three finals—the ODI World Cup, the T20 World Cup, and now the Champions Trophy has to be considered the best in white-ball cricket on the planet,” he stated.
India reached the final by defeating Australia in the semi-final after topping Group A with wins over Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand. He echoed head coach Gautam Gambhir’s stance, insisting that some critics will always complain regardless of the circumstances.
“Critics will always find something to complain about, but making it to these finals without home advantage and still winning proves India’s strength,” he remarked.
After India’s semi-final victory, Gambhir was questioned about the supposed advantage of being stationed in Dubai. He firmly rejected the claims, calling some critics “perpetual cribbers” who “need to grow up.”
Sunil Gavaskar, speaking to India Today, praised India’s dominance in white-ball cricket, highlighting their consistency in reaching major finals.
Gavaskar dismissed any doubts. “What advantage are people talking about? We didn’t even train here and our practice sessions were at the ICC Academy. The pitch conditions there and here are completely different. Some people just keep complaining no matter what. They need to move on. There was no special advantage for us, and there was certainly no pre-planned strategy around it,” he stated.
