The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy concluded in Dubai on Sunday, with India securing their second global title in nine months, reaffirming their status as a white-ball powerhouse. Yet, the tournament was mired in controversy, from its hybrid hosting model -- necessitated by India's refusal to travel to Pakistan -- to allegations of scheduling bias in their favour.

Pakistan were the official hosts, but remained only on paper. This reporter visited Rawalpindi and Lahore -- two of the three designated venues (the third being Karachi) -- only to find that Pakistan's campaign was effectively over after defeats to New Zealand at home and India in UAE. The disappointment among fans was evident, yet they continued to turn up in strong numbers.

While security and hospitality were impeccable, Pakistan had little say in key tournament decisions. The absence of a single Pakistani official on the post-final podium further reinforced their lack of influence, drawing criticism from Pakistan legends like Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar.

ICC's balancing act

In the 2023 World Cup, India travelled 9,767 km -- the most of any team -- before falling short in the final against Australia. Perhaps in response, they ensured minimal travel in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, playing most of their group-stage matches in New York before moving to the Caribbean for the remainder.

This time, in the Champions Trophy, they played every match in Dubai, eliminating travel fatigue and allowing their squad to remain fresh. By contrast, runners-up New Zealand covered 7,048 km between Pakistan and the UAE.

Over the last three ICC events, India have lost just one match -- the 2023 ODI World Cup final -- leading many to argue that they hardly needed what some have termed an "unfair advantage" of playing exclusively in Dubai.

"I feel sorry for India's cricketers," award-winning cricket writer Nicholas Brookes told Reuters. "They are an outstanding team -- in my mind, streets ahead of their competition regardless of conditions, and one of the greatest white-ball sides the game has seen.

"This tournament should have been their victory lap, but their brilliance has been somewhat overshadowed by constant questions about unfair advantages."

Beyond the travel disparity, India also benefited from familiarity with Dubai's conditions and pitches, allowing them to fine-tune their squad selection and strategies. In contrast, other teams had to accommodate diverse playing conditions across Pakistan and the UAE, complicating their team compositions. India's well-laid plans were evident in their performances throughout the tournament.

Allowing India to remain in Dubai not only deprived Pakistan of the honour of hosting the final but also disrupted the knockout schedule. South Africa, for instance, endured an 18-hour round trip to Dubai, anticipating a semifinal against India, before flying back to Pakistan to face New Zealand.

The entire affair portrayed the ICC, under the leadership of former BCCI secretary Jay Shah, as lacking strength in dealing with the world's wealthiest cricket board.

"That looks like the ICC putting finances ahead of fairness," said Brookes, whose book An Island's Eleven, a history of Sri Lankan cricket, won the Wisden Book of the Year award in 2023. "Some people will naturally think that the governing body is bending over backwards to accommodate India."

What's next for ODIs?

For over a decade, India have been a fixture in ICC knockout stages, often stumbling at the final hurdle. Last year, they ended an 11-year trophy drought with the T20 World Cup, and now they've added another 50-over title to their collection.

India captain Rohit Sharma said during the post-final press conference, "Whatever ICC tournament comes in front of you, you obviously want to win them all.

"One-day World Cup is One-Day World Cup. Because that's the only World Cup we've grown up watching. We didn't have the World Test Championships or many Champions Trophy… But this [holding the Champions Trophy] is no less. Ask me how much of an effort it takes to win this."

India's victory, though impressive, does little to alter the bigger picture that ODI cricket is on the wane. The much-anticipated tournament was meant to be a grand occasion had served as little more than an ICC fundraiser. The tournament revealed a stark lack of competition, and with interest in the seven-hour format dwindling, the future of 50-over cricket hangs in the balance.