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Rohit Sharma-led Team India have already confirmed their semi-finals berth in the ongoing ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. Although, they entered the tournament as favourites, a win over defending champions and hosts Pakistan on Sunday, February 23 just opened the gates for the semi-finals. But a win for New Zealand against Bangladesh on Monday, confirmed their qualification.
Although the Men in Blue still have a match to go as they are scheduled to take on New Zealand on Sunday, March 2 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, they are also being considered as favourites to lift the title, seeing an outside advantage of playing at a single venue. While analysing this, former England cricketer and captain Nasser Hussain also took a dig at the Indian cricket team for having this advantage over the other teams.
Pakistan host nation, India home advantage: Nasser Hussain points out
In an interaction with former England cricketer Michael Atherton on Sky Sports, Nasser Hussain claimed India as the “best team” while also addressing that they also have a home advantage. He also added that Team India do not have to travel and will play at one place throughtout the tournament.
"It is an advantage. So, the best team in the tournament have that advantage. And I saw a tweet the other day saying 'Pakistan host nation, India home advantage.' It sums it up really. They are at one place, one hotel, they don't have to travel. They have one dressing room. They know the pitch, they have picked for that pitch," the ex-England skipper said.
“They’re (India) playing at just venue. They don’t have to travel either between venues or countries, as a lot of other teams have to do. Therefore, the selection, can focus in on the conditions in Dubai. That seems to me to be an undeniable advantage, but kind of hard to quantity how big an advantage,” Michael Atherton also remarked.
The Rohit Sharma-led Team India are currently placed second in the Group A standings after back-to-back wins in the ICC Champions Trophy. Their position in the group standings will be finalised after their clash against New Zealand, which is scheduled on Sunday, March 2.
