Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma Shuts Down ‘Unfair Advantage’ Allegations: “Dubai Is Not Our Home Venue”

India’s skipper addresses criticism from Pakistan, Australia, and England legends ahead of the Champions Trophy semifinal against Australia.

March 3, 2025: Ahead of India’s much-anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal against Australia, skipper Rohit Sharma has responded strongly to allegations that India has had an unfair advantage by playing all their matches in Dubai. Critics, particularly from Pakistan, Australia, and England, have claimed that staying at a single venue gave India a better chance to acclimatize compared to other teams in Group A.

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However, Rohit dismissed these claims outright, emphasizing that Dubai is not India’s home venue and that the pitches have offered varied challenges throughout the tournament.

“Every time, the pitch is giving you different challenges. The three matches that we played here, the pitch has behaved differently. This is not our home, this is Dubai. We don’t play so many matches here, and this is new for us too,” Rohit stated during the pre-match press conference ahead of the semifinal clash against Australia.

India’s Tactical Adaptation to Dubai’s Surfaces

The Indian captain stressed the importance of quick adaptability, especially since different pitches have produced varying conditions.

Also Read: Champions Trophy: India vs Australia Semi-Final: When and Where to Watch

“There are four or five surfaces that are being used here. I don’t know which pitch will be used in the semifinals, but whatever happens, we will have to adapt and play accordingly,” he added.

Rohit pointed to India’s last Group A match against New Zealand, where the ball swung unexpectedly, as proof that pitch conditions have not remained constant.

“We saw that when the New Zealand bowlers were bowling, it was swinging a little bit. We didn’t see this in the first two games. Similarly, spin was a bigger factor in some matches, but not in others. So, it’s not like we know what’s going to happen.”

Backing India’s Five-Spinner Strategy

Addressing India’s controversial decision to carry five spinners in their squad, Rohit justified the move by saying the team had closely followed Dubai’s ILT20 tournament and anticipated slower surfaces.

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“We were watching ILT20 and observed that slower bowlers were a lot more effective here. So, we knew that spin would play a key role in the Champions Trophy.”

He also highlighted the flexibility in India’s squad, mentioning that the presence of Rishabh Pant allows them to balance the playing XI if an extra batter is needed.

Early Arrival Helped India Adjust

While dismissing the ‘home advantage’ claim, Rohit acknowledged that arriving in Dubai early helped India adapt quicker to the conditions.

“It was important for us to adapt quickly. We came here five or six days before the tournament, had good training sessions, and practiced on pitches that were similar to match conditions. That made a huge difference in our preparation.”

Looking Ahead to the Semifinals

With India set to face Australia in the semifinals, Rohit Sharma remains confident that his team can adjust to any surface and put up a strong fight. He also emphasized that a pitch offering help to bowlers makes the game more competitive and exciting.

“If there is something in it for the bowlers—whether spin or seam—it makes the contest very interesting. I am all for it.”

As the debate over India’s ‘Dubai advantage’ continues, Rohit Sharma’s response makes it clear: Adaptation and strategy—not familiarity—have been the keys to India’s success so far.

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