India’s rivals have obviously shown their opinion on how Rohit Sharma’s side feels that their performance in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 at one site has been an ‘advantage’. India are meant to play all of their games in Dubai including the semifinal and the final (should they qualify), whereas other games have taken place at three sites throughout Pakistan as according to the Hybrid Model.
Since they had the luxury of knowing of the circumstances, Matt Henry just noted that India played Dubai “beautifully.” New Zealand’s defeat of 44 runs to India marked his remarks.
But India have played their three Group A games in Dubai on three different surfaces and the first semifinal, as per Cricbuzz, will also be contested on a fresh pitch.
On Tuesday in Dubai, India will meet Australia in the first semifinal of the Champions Trophy.
Australian Matthew Sandery, the curator of the pitches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, has set slow tracks ideal for spin bowling.
India captain Rohir Pandya had also rejected the argument that his side is profiting from having competed at the same location.
“We don’t know which pitch will be played in the semi-final. Of course, we do not know what pitch will be performed in the semi-final. But whatever happens, we must adjust and observe what is going on. We will play on that. This is Dubai, not our home. Thus, we do not play many matches here. For us as well, this is a novelty,” Rohit stated.
Rohit missed the opportunity to see the new pitch since Monday was an off day for the Indian team. His Australian colleague Steve Smith, however, claimed the pitch seems dry.
“Naturally, the whole square block is pretty dry. “Having just now spoken to the groundsman, a dry surface had a lot of traffic, so we’ve seen how the wickets have played,” Smith said.
