India have played all three group-stage matches in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. After BCCI refused to send the team to Pakistan for the tournament, the ICC and the host PCB agreed to allow India to compete in Dubai. However, several former and current players have slammed the apex body of international cricket for giving an advantage to Rohit Sharma’s team, considering all the other seven nations had travelled from one city to another and one country to another.
India know about the pitch, and it helped in the previous contest when the management played four spinners. The addition of Varun Chakravarthy played a big role, as he took five wickets in India’s 44-run win.
Despite India being favourites against Australia in the semi-finals, former wicket-keeper Brad Haddin is backing Steve Smith’s team to beat the subcontinent team.
“India have played all the matches here, and they know about the surface but are under massive pressure. Australia know how to win big moments in a game, and they have done it in the past. I don’t think Australia are under pressure, as they have been playing against India for a long time. I can see Australia beating India in these conditions in Dubai,” he said
Haddin mentioned that anything less than a win over Australia will not be taken lightly in India. He also spoke about pressure on head coach Gautam Gambhir, who hasn’t enjoyed the expected success in his tenure.
“There is a lot of pressure on India with how the team has performed under coach Gautam Gambhir. The team hasn’t gotten consistent results. There is pressure on the players to make it to the final. There will be consequences if they don’t make it to the final.”
Related