Indian captain Rohit Sharma has firmly dismissed claims that his team enjoys a “home” advantage in the ongoing Champions Trophy, despite playing all their matches at a single venue in Dubai.
India, one of the tournament favorites, will take on Australia at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday in the first semi-final. If they secure a victory, they will also play the final at the same venue on Sunday. This marks their fourth game at the stadium, fueling debates about whether this arrangement gives them an upper hand over other teams.
The unique scheduling decision arose after the Indian government ruled that the national team would not travel to Pakistan for the competition. As a result, all of India’s fixtures were shifted to a neutral location, eliminating the need for them to travel between venues.
Familiarity with Conditions Raises Eyebrows
Critics argue that playing all matches at one ground grants India a strategic edge, as they have a better understanding of the pitch conditions and are spared the fatigue of constant travel. Former England captain Nasser Hussain pointed out the potential benefits of this setup.
“They stay in one hotel, they don’t have to travel, and they play on the same pitch every time,” Hussain remarked. “They know the conditions well, and they have picked their team accordingly.”
South African batter Rassie van der Dussen echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the significance of stability in a tournament setting.
“If you can remain in the same place, use the same practice facilities, and play on familiar pitches, it’s an advantage. That’s just common sense,” van der Dussen said.
India’s Tactical Mastery on Display
India’s mastery of the conditions was evident in their last group-stage encounter against New Zealand, where they successfully defended a target of 249. Their bowling attack, dominated by spin, proved to be the difference, with nine out of the ten opposition wickets falling to spinners.
New Zealand pacer Matt Henry acknowledged India’s well-thought-out strategy, stating, “They played to the conditions perfectly, and that made things challenging for us.”
Rohit Sharma Rejects ‘Unfair Advantage’ Talk
Despite the growing chatter, Rohit Sharma downplayed any notion that India has an unfair edge. He insisted that his team, like any other, must adapt to different playing surfaces.
“In the semi-final, we don’t even know which pitch will be used,” Rohit said. “Whatever it is, we have to adjust and play accordingly. This is not our home—it’s Dubai. We don’t play here regularly, so it’s new for us as well.”
With the stakes at their highest, all eyes will be on India as they look to overcome Australia and book their place in the Champions Trophy final. Whether their familiarity with Dubai proves to be an advantage or not, the real test awaits on the field.