“If India want to ban no-balls and wides, the ICC will do that”: Andy Roberts questions the dictating nature of the sub-continent nation

Legendary West Indies cricketer Andy Roberts has slammed the Indian team for playing all their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches in Dubai. He also questioned the role of the International Cricket Council, urging them to show some spine and start saying no to India. Pakistan was the official host of the global tournament, but India refused to travel to the country due to political issues. The ICC and the PCB were left with no option but to host the Men in Blue’s games at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

All the other seven teams were made to travel from one city to another in Pakistan, while some of them also visited Dubai to compete against India.

While captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gmabhir refused to accept that India were in an advantageous position by playing in Dubai, Mohammed Shami admitted that playing all the matches at one stadium was helpful for the team.

“ICC must start saying no to India. They can’t get everything. In last year’s T20 World Cup, India even had an advantage as they knew in advance where their semi-final would be held (Guyana),” Roberts was quoted as saying by the Mid-Day.

“They didn’t travel in the Champions Trophy. How can a team is allowed to enjoy this luxury,” he asked.

“It is not cricket and it is unfair. You have to give a level playing field to all the countries. I know India is generating a lot of money but cricket is not one country sport. It looked like a one nation competition,” he added.

He mentioned that India dictates terms because of the ICC. “The ICC stands for the Indian cricket board. India dictates terms to everyone. If India want to ban no-balls and wides, the ICC will do that.”

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