As Rajeev Shukla, the vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), addressed the media on his three-day visit to Pakistan, he was asked whether India enjoyed an ‘undue advantage’ in the Champions Trophy as it played in just one venue.
The senior administrator, however, rubbished such claims, saying: “The decision of hosting India’s matches in Dubai was finalised long ago by the ICC, so there are no questions of fair or unfair play. And, the Indian team is not dependent on the wickets and even in Dubai, they play on different strips, so the team plays to the best of its ability and performs well…”
Shukla, who was in the country for the second time in two years, also reiterated that a call on bilateral series or the Indian team travelling to Pakistan will depend on the decision of the Indian government.
He, however, ruled out the possibility of holding a bilateral series at a neutral venue, citing the BCCI rule. “It’s true that the fans want to see this contest. But as a matter of policy, the BCCI (and also the PCB) has always been particular about hosting a bilateral tournament on the home soil. We have been particular about it, and let’s see, what happens in the future,” Shukla said.