Former England cricketers and analysts Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton highlighted the ‘undeniable advantage’ India possesses in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 by having all its matches played in Dubai.
India has already sealed its spot in the tournament’s semi-final, after having beaten Bangladesh and Pakistan in the group stage. The Men in Blue will continue to have their games in Dubai, including the semi-final and final, if they qualify.
“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 *Sky Sports Podcast*, while in conversation with Nasser.
“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 in 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,” he added.
Nasser also made a point to speak about the way India structured its squad, going for five spin-bowling options to gel with Dubai’s conditions.
“They were very smart in their selection. They probably knew what Dubai is 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 seen why.
“For example, the other sides like England, if they do get to the semis, have only one spinner. Pakistan have 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 emphasised the selection complexity other teams will have to deal with while hopping from one venue 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.