Rassie van der Dussen takes a dig at Indian team for having ‘definite advantage’, says ‘If you can stay in one…’

Rassie van der Dussen described it as “a clear benefit” that India is accommodated at the same hotel, in the same location, and utilizing the same practice facilities in Dubai.

New Delhi: Rassie van der Dussen has joined notable figures such as Pat Cummins, Aaqib Javed, Nasser Hussain, and Michael Atherton in acknowledging the significant advantage that India holds in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, is the only squad in the tournament that will play all their matches at the same location, the Dubai International Stadium. This means they will not need to change hotels, travel to different venues, or adapt to varying conditions, even for the semi-final and final, should they qualify.

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.