Team India are currently playing all their Champions Trophy games in Dubai. However, having to stay and play in one city is an advantage, felt Mohammed Shami, a stance that contrasts with the views of the Indian team management, including the captain and coach.

“It is certainly helping us. We know the conditions and the behaviour of the pitch,” Shami said after India beat Australia to enter the final of the Champions Trophy.

His comments could help ammunition to critics of the Indian team as well, who have voiced concerns over Team India being allowed to play all their games in Dubai as well.

ALSO READ: “In the next T20 World Cup in India, he’ll be number one bowler” – Mohammad Kaif on Varun Chakravarthy

“It is certainly an advantage to play all the matches at one venue,” said Shami, who took three wickets for 48, following the game on Tuesday night (March 4).

Meanwhile, skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir have spoken quite the opposite as well.

“This is not our home, this is Dubai. So, we don’t play so many matches here. This is new for us too,” Rohit said, dismissing the talk of advantage.

Gambhir added, “This is as neutral a venue for us as it is for any other team. We have not played here. I don’t remember which tournament we played in this stadium last. And in fact, we didn’t plan anything like that.”

ALSO READ: “Aap Lucknow ke naye nawab hain” – Aakash Chopra on Rishabh Pant’s appointment as LSG captain

On the other hand, Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton shared their views in a Sky Sports podcast. “What about the advantage India have in playing in Dubai, only in Dubai? Which seems to me to be a hard-to-quantify advantage, but an undeniable advantage,” said Atherton on the recent podcast to which Hussain agreed.

However, Team India will face New Zealand in the final on March 9 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS). It will be their fifth match in a row at the venue, while New Zealand will play their group game against India, which they lost as well.