Mohammed Shami acknowledges Dubai’s conditions have helped India in Champions Trophy

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has acknowledged that playing all their Champions Trophy 2025 matches at a single venue in Dubai has proven beneficial for the team.

Shami played a key role in India's semi-final victory over Australia on Tuesday, taking 3 wickets for 48 runs and helping his side secure a four-wicket win.

After the match, India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, addressed criticism that playing all their group-stage games at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium gave India an unfair advantage. Gautam Gambhir rejected the criticism that India's exclusive use of the Dubai International Cricket Stadium gave them an unfair advantage.

India had chosen not to travel to Pakistan, the tournament's host nation, due to political tensions. As a result, the team played all three of their group-stage matches at their base in Dubai. Now, they are set to compete in the final against either South Africa or New Zealand, once again in Dubai.

In contrast, the other seven teams in the tournament have had to travel between three different cities across Pakistan and the UAE, adjusting to varying playing conditions.

“It definitely helped us because we know the conditions and how the pitch behaves,” Shami said after his match-winning performance against Australia. 

“It’s a plus point to play all the matches at one venue,” he added. 

South Africa, following the tournament’s “fusion formula,” had to travel to Dubai, only to return to Pakistan less than 24 hours later without playing a match.

India, so far unbeaten in the tournament, began with a six-wicket win over Bangladesh, chasing down 229. In their second match, they defeated arch-rivals and hosts Pakistan by six wickets, with Virat Kohli scoring his 51st ODI century and guiding the team to chase 242. India sealed their spot in the final with a 44-run win over New Zealand in their final group-stage match, defending a total of 250.