New Delhi: The first semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place on Tuesday, featuring a high-stakes clash between India and Australia at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Ahead of this crucial encounter, Indian captain Rohit Sharma addressed the media in a pre-match press conference. One of the key topics raised was the supposed advantage India has gained by playing all their matches at the same venue.

India has played all its group-stage matches in Dubai, and if they qualify for the final, that match will also be held at the same ground. This has led to criticism from some quarters, with claims that India enjoys an unfair advantage by avoiding travel while other teams shuttle between Pakistan and Dubai.

Rohit Sharma’s Strong Response

When asked about this perceived benefit, Rohit Sharma firmly dismissed the notion, stating,
“It’s not as if we know exactly how these pitches will behave. We have no idea which pitch will be used for the semi-final, and we will have to adapt accordingly. Also, this is not our home ground—it’s Dubai. We don’t play here regularly, so it is new for us as well.”

Rohit further elaborated on the unpredictable nature of the pitch, saying,
“We played three matches here, and while the surface looked similar, the behavior of the pitch varied in each game. Against New Zealand, their fast bowlers were able to swing and seam the ball. In our previous matches, we didn’t see that much movement when we bowled first. The conditions here change in the evening, making the ball swing more.”

Unpredictability of the Pitch

Rohit emphasized that playing at one venue does not necessarily provide an advantage, as the wicket conditions differ in every match.”Even though the pitches look the same, they play differently. As a batsman, you must assess which shots to play and which to avoid. Bowlers also need to adjust their strategies accordingly,” he added.

With the India vs Australia semi-final set to be a thrilling contest, all eyes will be on how the pitch behaves and whether it plays a role in determining the outcome of the match. Regardless of the conditions, Rohit Sharma and his team remain focused on adapting and delivering their best performance in pursuit of a place in the Champions Trophy final