India has qualified for CT 2025 semi-finals, defeating Bangladesh and Pakistan in Group A.
Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton, former England cricketers and analysts, noted India's 'undeniable advantage' in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 by playing all of its matches in Dubai.
India has already secured a place in the tournament's semi-finals, having defeated Bangladesh and Pakistan in the group round. If the Men in Blue qualify, they will play their remaining games in Dubai, including the semi-finals and final.
“What about the advantage India has in playing in Dubai, only in Dubai? Which seems to me to be a hard-to-quantify advantage, but an undeniable advantage. They’re playing at just one venue. They don’t have to travel either between venues or, you know, between countries, as a lot of other teams have to do.
Therefore, the selection, you know, can focus on the conditions in Dubai. And obviously, they’ll know where they’re playing their semi-final as and when they get through to that. That seems to me to be an undeniable advantage, but, you know, kind of hard to quantify how big an advantage,” Atherton said on Sky Sports podcast.
His ex-England teammate Nasser Hussain pointed out that India has smartly structured their squad according to Dubai conditions, especially having 5 spinners in their 15-man squad.
“They were very smart in their selection. They probably knew what Dubai was going to be like. They picked all their spinners. There was a bit of debate with Indian media saying why don’t you have gone for an extra seamer? Why all these spinners? Now we can see why.
For example, the other sides like England, if they do get to the semis, have only one spinner. Pakistan has one frontline spinner. You can say that when the injuries came, they should have changed that and I have made that argument,” said Nasser.
The former England captain underlined the selection challenges that other teams would have when they move from one location to another.
“Other teams will have to pick playing XIs for different conditions in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi and then they have to travel and adjust to those conditions. So it is an advantage but what else could have happened? Once India refused to come to Pakistan, what could have happen? You can’t have a tournament like this without India-Pakistan. It had to be in Dubai,” added Nasser.
Here is the video: