Champions Trophy: Sharma claims playing in Dubai not an advantage for India

Rohit Sharma claims that India playing all of their Champions Trophy matches at the same ground in Dubai is not an advantage, as they prepare to face Australia in the semi-finals on Tuesday.

The rest of the tournament's matches have been played in Pakistan, but due to long-standing tensions between the two countries, India have been housed in Dubai.

Sharma's side have had the luxury of no travel and knowing where all of their games will be held, whereas Australia and South Africa were not clear on where their respective semi-finals were going to take place until Sunday evening.

Indeed, South Africa travelled to Dubai should they be called upon to play Tuesday's semi-final there, only to fly back to Lahore for Wednesday's clash with New Zealand when the fixtures worked out differently.

The situation has resulted in accusations of favourable treatment for India, but Sharma claims otherwise.

He said: "It's not like we know what's going to happen on these pitches.

"We don't know which pitch will be used in the semi-final, but whatever it is, we will have to adapt and see how it goes.

"It's not our home either - this is Dubai. We don't play so many matches here, it's new for us as well."

3/3 #TeamIndia will face Australia in the first Semi FinalScoreboard https://t.co/Ba4AY30p5i #NZvIND | #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/QxG9ZWeVMN
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 2, 2025

Tuesday's semi-final is a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final, which India lost in front of their own supporters in disappointing fashion.

Sharma added: "All we have to do is what we've been thinking about the last three games.

"And we have to approach that game in a similar fashion. We understand the opposition and how they play.

"Australia have been such a great team over the years, so we will expect some fightback and some nervy times in the middle as well.

"We are talking about a semi-final. There will be pressure on both teams to win that game."