Champions Trophy: India favourites forward of Australia semi-final because of Dubai benefit and rivals’ journey chaos

When you’ve gotten a squad as deep and proficient as India’s then you definitely in all probability do not want any assist to win a trophy – however Rohit Sharma’s aspect have absolutely had some.

Political tensions between the nation and neighbouring Pakistan imply India are enjoying all of their Champions Trophy video games in Dubai.

Whereas their opponents – Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand thus far, Australia in Tuesday’s semi-final after which doubtlessly New Zealand or South Africa in Sunday’s remaining – have needed to journey right here and there, India have been capable of hunker down within the UAE.

No flights, no swap of resort, no want to regulate or decide a squad for contrasting venues.

Rohit and co have been capable of plot purely for Dubai and earned three convincing wins on the floor – most not too long ago in opposition to New Zealand when leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy claimed a five-for on a spin-friendly floor – but the skipper has refuted the notion they’ve an unfair benefit.

“It’s not like we know what’s going to happen on these pitches,” he mentioned forward of the Australia semi-final, reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket from 8.30am on Tuesday (9am first ball).

“We do not know which pitch shall be used, however no matter it’s, we should adapt. It is not our dwelling both – that is Dubai. We do not play so many matches right here.

“The three matches we have played, the nature of the surface was the same, but the pitch behaved differently.

“New Zealand received the ball to swing and seam, which we did not see within the earlier two matches when our bowlers had been bowling first.”

I feel for us the sport’s in all probability gained and misplaced how we play spin. It will be a problem trying on the floor. We have to counter that. We have a number of choices of the way we will go about it.

‘You do not have to be a rocket scientist to know India have a bonus’

South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen – whose aspect play New Zealand in Wednesday’s second semi-final in Lahore – believes the schedule extremely favours India, saying: “If you can stay in one place, stay in one hotel, practice in the same facilities, play in the same stadium, on the same pitches every time, it’s definitely an advantage.

“I do not suppose it’s important to be a rocket scientist to know that.”

South Africa have actually clocked up the air miles.

Quickly after drubbing an abject England by seven wickets in Karachi on Saturday to complete on the head of Group B, the Proteas flew to Dubai to arrange for circumstances simply in case they got here up in opposition to India within the first semi-final on Tuesday.

However India’s win over New Zealand on Sunday, which wrapped up prime spot in Group A, ensured South Africa would play in Wednesday’s second last-four encounter in opposition to New Zealand in Lahore as an alternative, so Temba Bavuma’s males needed to journey again to Pakistan.

Australia had been additionally in limbo forward of India vs New Zealand, after doing the identical as South Africa and journeying to Dubai, however they’ve been spared the return journey and can now look to upset India for the second world 50-over occasion in a row.

Travis ‘Headache’ once more for India?

They pulled off victory within the 2023 World Cup remaining in Ahmedabad by inflicting a primary defeat on host nation India after Rohit’s aspect had gained their first 10 matches within the occasion.

Travis Head was the Australian hero with the bat – after a Pat Cummins masterclass marshalling his bowlers – with the left-handed opener scoring 137 from 120 balls as his aspect reached a goal of 241 with seven overs to spare.

Head has been India’s nemesis of late, additionally making 163 because the Dishevelled Greens beat their rivals within the 2023 World Take a look at Championship remaining at The Kia Oval.

Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik informed Sky Sports activities: “The quality of India’s cricket has probably been the best of the tournament. They have played solid cricket and if they can keep that going, I don’t see any reason they can’t win.

“But [former India player and coach] Ravi Shastri has nicknamed him Travis ‘Headache’ as that’s what he has been for India in almost every big game.

“The tempo he has performed at, the pace at which he has scored, has been disruptive for India and eased the stress on the opposite Australia batters.”

Hussain: Australia won’t bottle it against India

Australia entered the Champions Trophy without Cummins (ankle), Josh Hazlewood (hip), Mitchell Starc (personal reasons), Mitchell Marsh (back) and Marcus Stoinis (retired), while opening batter and part-time spinner Matthew Short – who scored a half-century in the win over England – has now been ruled out with a quad injury.

Sky Sports Cricket’s Nasser Hussain said: “Australia will not be bottling it. They’re lacking gamers however their report in ICC occasions is fabulous.

“Everyone in that dressing room will have grown up watching a Steve Waugh side, a Ricky Ponting side, a Cummins side and realised they are born to win these things.

“They don’t seem to be right here to make up the numbers and they’ll consider they’ll overcome a really sturdy India aspect.”

A really sturdy India aspect with a lot of their favour.

Watch India vs Australia within the first Champions Trophy semi-final, from Dubai, reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket and Sky Sports activities Major Occasion from 8.30am on Tuesday (9am first ball).