Don’t need to be rocket scientist to see India have an advantage: Rassie van der Dussen

South African top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen feels Team India has a definite advantage to be played in Dubai in all of its group stage matches, semi-final and final of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Rassie stated that if the team stays in the same hotel and practices in the same facilities and plays at the same venue and on the same pitch, it would give a definite advantage to Men In Blue.

“If you can stay in one hotel, practice in the same facilities, play in the same stadium on the same pitch every time... It is definitely an advantage. I don’t think you have to be a rocket scientist to know that,” Van der Dussen said.

Moreover, Van der Dussen also emphasized that the team doesn’t care much about their ultimate semi-final venue as their squad is equipped for all conditions. However, he asserted that he would prefer playing in Lahore as it would make things easier logistically.

“If it’s a personal thing, I would say playing in Lahore, because it’s just good to bat there. The Dubai pitch is not as high-scoring as Lahore, but no, I don’t think it really matters,” he added.

“I think probably logistically, it will be easier to play in Lahore. You don’t have to go through an international flight and go to Dubai and literally go to another country to play. Lahore is not too far from where we are at the moment, so conditions are fairly similar,” he concluded.

South Africa will next play against England in their final group stage encounter on Saturday, March 1. Notably, Proteas are topping the Group B standings and are yet to make it to the semi-final.

South Africa squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025:

Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch.

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