India's Advantage in Playing All Games in Dubai
Mohammed Shami, an Indian fast bowler, has conceded that playing all games in Dubai is an advantage for the team. This stance contrasts with the perspective of the Indian team management, including the captain and coach.
"It is certainly helping us. We know the conditions and the behaviour of the pitch," Shami said after India beat Australia to enter the final.
Shami's comments could provide ammunition to critics of the Indian team, who have voiced concerns over India being allowed to play all their games in Dubai.
Contrasting Views
Skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir have spoken quite the opposite. "This is not our home, this is Dubai. So, we don't play so many matches here. This is new for us too," Rohit said, dismissing the talk of advantage.
Gambhir added, "This is as neutral a venue for us as it is for any other team. We have not played here. I don't remember which tournament we played in this stadium last. And in fact, we didn't plan anything like that."
The Debate
Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton kick-started the debate by speaking about the topic in a Sky Sports podcast. "What about the advantage India have in playing in Dubai, only in Dubai? Which seems to me to be a hard-to-quantify advantage, but an undeniable advantage," said Atherton on the recent podcast to which Hussain agreed.
The Final
India will face New Zealand in the final on March 9 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS). It will be their fifth match in a row at the venue, while New Zealand too have some experience here, having played their group game against India which they lost.
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