Start Moaning: Sunil Gavaskar Slams England’s ‘Venue Advantage’ Complaints

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has hit back at England’s cricketing greats after their criticism of India’s so-called ‘venue advantage’ in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Start moaning is the message Gavaskar sent to England following their disappointing exit from the tournament. Their loss to Afghanistan on Wednesday ended their campaign, leading to frustration among former English cricketers.

“When things don’t go their way, they start moaning about conditions instead of accepting their failures,” Gavaskar said, responding to the claims.

England’s Exit and Venue Controversy

England’s campaign came to an abrupt end after a shocking loss to Afghanistan in Lahore. Chasing a steep target of 326 runs, England fell short by just nine runs, getting bowled out for 317 with one ball to spare.

• Ibrahim Zadran’s record-breaking 177 powered Afghanistan to their highest total in the tournament.
• His crucial partnership with Hashmatullah Shahidi (40) helped Afghanistan recover from 37-3.
• England’s batting collapse under pressure led to their elimination.

Despite their struggles, former English cricketers blamed ‘unfavorable venues’ for their poor performance rather than acknowledging their shortcomings.

Gavaskar’s Bold Response

Gavaskar dismissed these complaints, stating that India has also faced similar challenges in overseas conditions without making excuses.

““India has competed in England on swinging pitches and in Australia on fast, bouncy tracks without ever complaining.
Why should home conditions be an issue now?” he questioned.

He pointed out that cricket is about adapting to different conditions, and teams should focus on improving rather than blaming external factors.

England’s Excuses vs. Reality

1. Pitch Conditions: England’s struggle against spin and pace exposed their weaknesses.
2. Failure to Adapt: Instead of adjusting their game plan, they blamed external factors.
3. Previous Home Advantages: England has enjoyed favorable conditions in past ICC events but failed to acknowledge the same when playing abroad.
4. Afghanistan’s Heroics: Instead of crediting Afghanistan’s brilliant performance, England’s greats focused on excuses.

Lessons from England’s Champions Trophy Exit

• Teams must adapt to different conditions to succeed in global tournaments.
• Cricket boards should focus on skill development rather than external factors.
• Acknowledging opponent performances is crucial rather than making excuses.

Final Thoughts

Start moaning is Sunil Gavaskar’s blunt response to England’s complaints about India’s venue advantage. Instead of taking accountability for their failures, England’s cricketing greats have chosen to blame conditions. The Champions Trophy 2025 has once again proven that adaptability is key to success. With teams like Afghanistan proving their mettle, England must rethink their approach rather than finding excuses for their defeats.

Gavaskar’s remarks serve as a reminder that the best teams focus on improving rather than complaining. England must now reflect on their performance and prepare better for future tournaments instead of pointing fingers.

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