It has seemed like India's from the start with visits to their matches feeling more like an exhibition while the rest of the action took place in Pakistan. Teams were flown in to face 11 superstars in immaculate electric blue in front of thousands wearing those players' names on their backs. Would Hardik Pandya have been introduced in Lahore with deafening cries of "Kung-fu Pand-ya!", as he was in Dubai? Sadly, we will never know. It should be made clear, there are no easy answers here. India announced they would not travel to Pakistan in December because of long-standing political tensions between the two nations. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been in a tricky spot ever since. Play the tournament without India? Indian markets make up a significant portion of the ICC's income, reported to be as much as 80%, external. Take away the opportunity for Pakistan to host a first tournament for 29 years at the last minute? Not feasible either. The result was India playing the tournament in one city, remaining in one hotel, as the row over the advantages they held rumbled on throughout. New Zealand covered more than 7,000km travelling to matches, while the nearest an India player got to a plane was Kuldeep Yadav's wide-armed celebration after claiming the crucial wicket of Rachin Ravindra in the final. At every turn, India denied the obvious, until Mohammed Shami said the situation had "definitely" helped them after their semi-final. Moments earlier, in the same room, coach Gautam Gambhir suggested anyone that said so needed to "grow up". Opposition players remained largely quiet, until South Africa's David Miller said he would be supporting New Zealand in the final. Speak to players in private and the power India seemingly hold is simply met with a shrug. This is the path cricket is on. In 2023, there was the controversy of the semi-final pitch switched at the last minute in a move that appeared to suit India's spinners. Eight months ago, India beat England in the T20 semi-final in Guyana, when again Rohit Sharma was the only captain to know where his side's matches would be played before departure. That fixture was played at 10:30am to suit Indian TV, limiting the local crowd. This time India's last group match was played on a Sunday - when TV viewership in India is highest - and caused the farcical situation of South Africa having to fly to Dubai but return to Pakistan less than 24 hours later. Home advantage for a tournament you are hosting is one thing. Having a similar benefit for a tournament hosted by your rivals is another entirely.