Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has admitted that playing all their matches in Dubai during the Champions Trophy has given the team a significant advantage. His statement comes amid ongoing discussions where several critics and former cricketers have argued that India’s familiarity with the Dubai International Cricket Stadium has contributed to their flawless run to the final.
“It has definitely helped us because we know the conditions and the behaviour of the pitch. Playing all matches at a single venue is a plus point as we get a better understanding of how the surface plays,” Shami said after India’s semifinal win over Australia.
Shami, who has been India’s leading wicket-taker in the tournament with eight scalps in four matches, acknowledged the impact of playing on a consistent pitch, even as Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir dismissed the claims of an unfair advantage.
While India’s matches have all been played in Dubai under the Hybrid Model, other teams have had to travel between Pakistan and the UAE for their fixtures. Critics argue that India’s spin-heavy squad has thrived on Dubai’s conditions, while other teams have had to adapt to different pitches.
However, Gambhir strongly refuted the criticism, emphasizing that India had not practiced in Dubai before the tournament and had trained at the ICC Academy, where conditions are vastly different. He dismissed the claims as unnecessary complaints.
As India gears up for the Champions Trophy final, debates over their supposed advantage continue, but Shami’s honest admission has added an interesting perspective to the discussion.
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