Rassie van der Dussen criticizes Indian team for alleged advantage, suggests 'If you can't beat them...'

New Delhi: Rassie van der Dussen, along with other prominent figures such as Pat Cummins, Aaqib Javed, Nasser Hussain, and Michael Atherton, has recognized the substantial advantage that India enjoys in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Indian team, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, stands out as the only team in the tournament that will compete in all their matches at the prestigious Dubai International Stadium. This unique positioning eliminates the need for the team to undergo the hassle of changing hotels, traveling to different venues, or adapting to diverse playing conditions, even in the crucial stages of the semi-finals and final, should they progress.

The ICC had to establish this arrangement because the Indian government denied permission for its cricket team to travel to Pakistan, the initial host of the tournament. Consequently, all of India’s opponents have had to alternate between various cities in Pakistan and Dubai for their matches.

Van der Dussen referred to it as “a definite advantage” since India is lodged at the same hotel, in the same location, and utilizing the same training facilities throughout the tournament.

“It’s definitely an advantage. I saw that Pakistan was commenting about it, but it’s definitely an advantage. If you can stay in one place, stay in one hotel, practise in the same facilities, play in the same stadium, on the same pitches every time, it’s definitely an advantage,” van der Dussen was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

South Africa is set to face England in their final group match on Friday. “I don’t think you have to be a rocket scientist to know that. The onus would be on them to use that advantage,” van der Dussen continued.

“In a sense, it puts more pressure on them because whoever is going to play them in the semi or potentially the final is going to go there and the conditions are going to be foreign but they (India) are going to be used to it. The pressure would be on them to get it right because they have all that knowledge.”

India has successfully won both of their matches against Bangladesh and Pakistan, securing their spot in the semifinals scheduled for March 4 in Dubai. Their final group match will take place on Sunday against New Zealand, a team that has also won both of its games against Pakistan and Bangladesh.