Mitchell Starc reacts on India’s venue advantage in Champions Trophy

Australia's pacer, Mitchell Starc, shared his thoughts on the ongoing debate about India's single-venue advantage during the recently concluded ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

Starc, who missed the tournament due to personal reasons, acknowledged that India's ability to play all of their matches at a single venue without having to travel gave them an advantage. However, he also emphasized that India deserved their title victory, stating that they were the best team throughout the tournament.

"When one team gets to stay at one place, no flights, no restrictions upon them in the place, train at the same venue every time, play every game at the same venue, I would tend to agree with some of the opinions that have come out," Starc said. 

"I can understand where a lot of the guys in the other seven teams were coming from and some opinions from broadcasters," he added. 

Despite acknowledging the advantage, Starc was quick to highlight India’s overall brilliance in the tournament. 

"There's been a lot made on that topic. Obviously, India tried to push that to the side and say it's a neutral venue, but there's been a lot to come out of the tournament during and post. India won fair and square, they were the better team, they are a bloody good cricket team, and have been across all formats for a long time," he concluded.

It is worth noting that just months before the start of the tournament, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to send its national men’s team to Pakistan, citing directives from their government. This decision led to a standoff between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the BCCI.

The dispute was resolved with the PCB proposing a ‘Fusion Formula’, which allows India and Pakistan to play their matches at a neutral venue when one of them is hosting an event for the next three years.