The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has sparked discussions past the boundary ropes, with South African batter Rassie van der Dussen shedding mild on a big edge India holds within the event. With all their matches scheduled on the Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium beneath a hybrid internet hosting mannequin, India’s constant base has change into a speaking level. Van der Dussen, talking candidly, emphasised how this setup favors the Indian group, putting extra stress on them to ship within the knockout levels.
Rassie van der Dussen on how India’s steady base in Dubai give them a bonus
Van der Dussen didn’t mince phrases when addressing India’s distinctive place within the event. Notably, not like different groups, India have prevented the logistical hurdles of inter-city or inter-country journey. Following their refusal to tour Pakistan—the unique host of the Champions Trophy—India’s matches had been shifted to Dubai beneath an settlement with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). This determination has allowed Rohit Sharma‘s squad to settle right into a routine, coaching at acquainted services and adapting to constant pitch circumstances on the Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium. For a group identified for its adaptability, this stability might show to be a game-changer.
“It’s positively a bonus. I noticed that Pakistan was commenting about it, nevertheless it’s positively a bonus. Should you can keep in a single place, keep in a single lodge, practise in the identical services, play in the identical stadium, on the identical pitches each time, it’s positively a bonus,” he mentioned, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
The South African cricketer drove his level residence with a contact of humor, stating: “I don’t assume you must be a rocket scientist to know that.” His assertion underscores the simplicity of the benefit—staying put in a single location eliminates the fatigue and uncertainty that include journey and acclimatization. Whereas groups like South Africa, Pakistan, and others shuttle between venues similar to Karachi and Lahore in Pakistan, India’s gamers can focus solely on their sport plan, honing their abilities on a single set of pitches they’ve come to know intimately.
Thought, this isn’t the primary time the hybrid mannequin has stirred debate. Pakistan, specifically, have voiced considerations over the association, with their gamers dealing with the twin problem of internet hosting matches at residence whereas adapting to a impartial venue like Dubai for potential knockout clashes in opposition to India. Van der Dussen’s feedback echo these sentiments, spotlighting a disparity that would affect the event’s end result.
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Stress on India to capitalize in knockouts
Van der Dussen emphasised that whereas India advantages from enjoying all their matches in Dubai, this benefit additionally comes with added stress. Since their semi-final or potential closing opponents can be unfamiliar with the circumstances, India, having already tailored to the pitch and setting, will probably be anticipated to capitalize on this familiarity. Failing to take action can be seen as a wasted alternative, making their efficiency within the knockout levels much more scrutinized.
“The onus can be on them to make use of that benefit. In a way, it places extra stress on them as a result of whoever goes to play them within the semi or doubtlessly the ultimate goes to go there and the circumstances are going to be international, however they [India] are going for use to it,” added Van der Dussen.
