Andy Roberts attacks the ICC for favoring India and doubts the Champions Trophy schedule.

Former West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts has challenged the International Cricket Council (ICC), stating that it favors the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

He expressed issue over India’s schedule in the just concluded ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and last year’s T20 World Cup.

The Champions Trophy was initially scheduled to be held in Pakistan, but it was contested in a hybrid format, with India’s matches transferred to Dubai.

This decision was reached at an ICC board meeting, which indicated that any India-Pakistan match scheduled for the 2024-2027 cycle will instead be held at a neutral location.

Roberts said that this arrangement offered India an unfair advantage, similar to what he felt happened in the T20 World Cup 2024, when India was supposedly given advance notice of their semi-final destination in Guyana.

“Something has to give. India cannot obtain everything. The International Criminal Court must sometimes say no to India. India even had an edge at last year’s T20 World Cup because they knew where their semi-final would be held,” Roberts remarked.

He also questioned why India did not have to travel for the Champions Trophy, like other teams did.

“India had no need to go for the Champions Trophy. “How can a team not travel during a tournament?” he inquired.

The 74-year-old further claimed that the BCCI has too much control over the ICC and international cricket decisions.  

 
“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 raised concerns about India’s scheduling in Dubai, saying it gave them an 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,” according to him.

Despite the criticism, India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final. This was India’s third Champions Trophy triumph, following victories in 2002 and 2013.

Chasing 252 runs, India won with six wickets in hand and six balls remaining.