Rohit Sharma dismisses ‘home advantage’ claims as a brand-new surface awaits India and Australia in the high-stakes semifinal.
March 4, 2025: New Pitch, New Challenge: India vs Australia Set for Fresh Surface in Dubai Semifinal
With just hours to go before the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal between India and Australia, reports confirm that a fresh pitch has been prepared at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium for the crucial encounter.
Amid ongoing debate over India’s perceived ‘home advantage’—having played all their matches in Dubai under the hybrid model—skipper Rohit Sharma has refuted such claims, emphasizing that each match has been played on different surfaces and that the team still faces the challenge of adapting.
Also Read: India vs Australia: A High-Stakes Showdown for Champions Trophy Final Spot
Key Details About the Semifinal Pitch
✅ New Pitch for the Clash – According to reports from Cricbuzz, the surface hasn’t been used before in the tournament.
✅ Curator’s Input – The pitch has been prepared by Australian curator Matthew Sandery, who has previously produced slow, spin-friendly tracks at the venue.
✅ Steve Smith’s Verdict – The Australian captain has assessed the surface, calling it “dry with a lot of traffic”, indicating that spinners might once again play a crucial role.
✅ Rohit Sharma’s View – The Indian captain did not inspect the pitch on Monday, as the team had a rest day, but emphasized that India will need to adapt quickly, just like in previous matches.
Rohit Sharma on ‘Home Advantage’ Debate
The ‘home advantage’ criticism has come from several quarters, including New Zealand pacer Matt Henry, who suggested that India has benefited from playing all their games in Dubai.
However, Rohit Sharma dismissed these claims, stating:
“We don’t know which pitch we will play on in the semifinal. But whatever happens, we have to adapt. This is not our home; this is Dubai. We don’t play so many matches here, so it’s new for us too.”
What to Expect from the Pitch?
📌 Spin likely to dominate – Given the dry surface and previous trends, India may consider playing four spinners—a tempting option after Varun Chakravarthy’s five-wicket haul against New Zealand.
📌 Batting first could be crucial – With conditions expected to slow down as the game progresses, the toss could play a vital role.
📌 Australia’s challenge – With no Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, or Mitchell Starc, the Australian pace attack will need to adapt quickly if the pitch offers low bounce and turn.
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