Rassie van der Dussen weighs in on India’s advantage of playing all matches in Dubai

South African top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen has shared his thoughts on India playing all their matches at the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 at one venue in Dubai, calling it an advantage.

This decision came after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided not to send their national men’s team to Pakistan for the tournament due to government orders. The BCCI’s refusal sparked a strong reaction from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), leading to a prolonged dispute between the two cricket boards.

The disagreement resulted in the PCB proposing a "Fusion Formula," which suggests that if India or Pakistan is hosting an event in the next three years, the teams will play their matches at a neutral venue. As a result, India’s matches will be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Former England cricketer and commentator, Nasser Hussain, also voiced his opinion recently, mentioning that playing at a single venue gives India an advantage.

Van der Dussen agreed with these views, adding that the opportunity to train and play at the same venue without having to travel between cities or countries gives India an edge.

“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that the ability to train and play in one place, coupled with the absence of any inter-city or inter-country travel, gives India an edge that they will be under pressure to fully exploit,” he said.

The 36-year-old South African batter also noted the benefit of being familiar with the same stadium and pitches throughout the tournament.

“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,” he said.

However, van der Dussen pointed out that this advantage could also put pressure on India. He explained that while India will be accustomed to the conditions, teams playing against them in the semi-finals or finals might find the conditions unfamiliar.

“In a sense, it puts more pressure on them because whoever is going to play them in the semi or potentially the final is going to go there and the conditions are going to be foreign, but they [India] are going to be used to it,” he concluded.