India: play, practice, and sleep. “But now it’s up to them to make that advantage count.”

A 'Champions Charade' update.

Recently, I made an improbable promise to myself, and I don’t think anybody heard it. In 2025, I would start every SpeakingCricket post on a positive footing. For example, “I have been hugely encouraged by the quality of cricket in this Champions Trophy, and it’s reassuring that equality has been evenly applied across all participants!” And then I woke in a cold sweat, checked my phone, and was at peace again to see that Dubai would host the India v Australia semi-final, not Mumbai. And here's the positive vibe: This Champions trophy has always been India's to lose.

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Of the sides that made an early exit, co-hosts Pakistan didn’t fire a shot. Too cautious at the top of the order and over-reliant on pace with the ball, it’s time for a new chairman of selectors! England were dealt a body blow in their opener by one of their own and never recovered. Their 50-over cricket needs work, but that isn’t an attribute they currently embrace. Afghanistan continues to build, although some of its pillars are quietly aging. Bangladesh did accrue one point, which, in a combined table, handed the wooden spoon to you know who. Sorry Baz.

And those still standing. South Africa arrived in form and hopefully uplifted by their World Test Championship campaign. There is now genuine belief within the Proteas camp leading into their semi-final with New Zealand. They have genuine new-ball threats, effective spin options, and a strong all-around fielding unit. Continuing the positivity theme, I will not draw attention to South Africa’s semi-final record in major white-ball tournaments. Instead, it might be the strength of their middle-order batting, led by Heinrich Klaasen, that breaks the ice, so why not in Lahore?

New Zealand, you could call Mitch Santner on a Monday afternoon explaining there is an impromptu 50-over competition starting the following day, and it wouldn't matter a jot, such is the flexibility in their squad. Nothing much bothers the Black Caps besides being the best they can and knocking off bigger fish. It will be interesting to see who the betting markets flag as favourites; for me, there is nothing in this one, that doesn't bode well for the Proteas.

Australia believes the middle overs and handling of spin bowling will be crucial in their semi-final with India in Dubai. The hosts, sorry, India, are likely to play four spinners on their 'home' patch, this will present plenty for Australia's batting to navigate. The loss of Matt Short hurts, and also weakens their bowling depth, leaving part-time spin to fill the void. Still, a positive, the Aussies' venue predictor' worked, enabling some much-needed acclimatisation and a little golf after their early entry into Dubai. (No slight on Pakistani golf, of course.)

Back to India. Captain Rohit Sharma rebuked much of the negative comments about his team’s circumstances with a somewhat naive narrative, saying, “It has been difficult for his team also playing away from home.” Make of that what you will.

Standing Rohit’s words aside for a minute. It is still staggering how cricket’s administrators continually back themselves into corners with no clear way out—though perhaps it’s not so surprising when India is in the conversation.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) offered an imaginary government mandate to the ICC that would prevent them from playing in Pakistan. It’s unclear at what point this card was tabled. It’s also unclear how long it took for the ICC to accommodate the BCCI’s demands.

A player still involved in the tournament—or charade—whichever you prefer, said it best, “You don’t need to be a brain surgeon to see that playing all your games at one venue, practising at that venue and staying in the same hotel without the hassle of travelling is an advantage,” before adding, wryly, “but now it’s up to them to make that advantage count.” Goed gesê jong man. Indeed, India has a lot to lose.

India walked past Bangladesh in their opener. Virat Kohli orchestrated a similar run chase against Pakistan, registering his 51st ODI hundred. Then India’s spin throttled New Zealand’s run chase Sunday night to give them a 3-0 record and a ‘home’ semi-final with Australia.

It goes against all my instincts, but if pushed, I have India over Australia and South Africa finally removing their semi-final hoodoo and leaving the Champions Trophy final, hosted by Pakistan, to be played in Dubai.

It’s a progressive world we live in. That’s my positive outro.