India has secured their place in the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 following New Zealand’s victory over Bangladesh, which also led to the elimination of tournament hosts Pakistan on Monday. With two commanding wins over Bangladesh and Pakistan, both by identical margins of six wickets, India has cruised into the knockout stage alongside New Zealand, who also boast a perfect record in Group A.
However, a debate has sparked regarding India’s perceived advantage in playing all their matches at the Dubai International Stadium. Former England captains u and Nasser Hussain discussed the matter, highlighting how India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan led to their matches being scheduled exclusively in Dubai.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Michael Atherton questioned whether India’s consistency in playing at a single venue, without the need for travel, gives them a competitive edge. “What about the advantage India have in playing only in Dubai? It’s hard to quantify, but undeniably an advantage,” Atherton remarked. “They don’t have to travel between venues or countries like other teams. Their selection can focus specifically on Dubai’s conditions, and they already know where they will play their semifinal.”
ALSO READ: Ricky Ponting Declares Virat Kohli The Greatest ODI Batter Of All Time
Nasser Hussain echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the stability India enjoys by being stationed in one place throughout the tournament.
“I saw a tweet saying, ‘Pakistan: host nation. India: home advantage.’ And that sums it up perfectly. They stay in one hotel, in one dressing room, playing on the same pitch. They picked their squad smartly, loading up on spinners, and we’re now seeing why,” he noted.
Hussain further compared India’s situation to other teams, such as England and Pakistan, who have had to adapt to varying conditions across Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai. “England, if they reach the semis, will have only one frontline spinner. Pakistan had one main spinner last night, and when injuries struck, they had to adjust. But India knew what to expect in Dubai and built their squad accordingly,” he added.
The former England captain also acknowledged the larger context of India’s absence from Pakistan and the necessity of having them in the tournament.
ALSO READ: Navjot Singh Sidhu Praises Rohit Sharma’s Reaction To Virat Kohli’s Century
He explained, “What else could have happened? Once India refused to come to Pakistan, there was no way you could have a Champions Trophy without India. That’s just not an option. So, Dubai was the logical choice. And now they sit comfortably, knowing they will likely play all six games there—potentially winning another global trophy without ever leaving one venue.”
While India has undoubtedly dominated so far, their true test will come in the knockout rounds, where even a slight misstep could derail their title hopes. However, with familiarity on their side and a squad tailored for Dubai’s conditions, they remain strong contenders to go all the way.
