Ahead of the important match between India and New Zealand in Dubai, cricket analysts Robin Uthappa and Lalchand Rajput shared their perspectives on whether India benefits from playing in Dubai and the importance of momentum in the ICC Champions Trophy.
When asked about India’s ‘home advantage’ in Dubai, considering Pakistan was originally supposed to host but India didn’t participate there due to political reasons, Uthappa mentioned at a book launch that while it’s not exactly a home advantage, familiarity with the venue is certainly beneficial. He recalled Wasim Jaffer’s suggestion to distribute matches across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah to avoid complaints from other teams.
Uthappa pointed out the geopolitical reasons for not playing in Pakistan, emphasizing each nation’s right to decide their travel destinations. He argued that if this results in one team playing in a specific venue, it is justifiable.
He further added that India could argue they missed out on scoring opportunities on flatter Pakistani pitches. However, Uthappa believes cricket ultimately comes down to performance on the day, and complaining teams reveal their mental weakness.
Regarding preferred semifinal opponents, Uthappa dismissed the notion, stating that a confident team should concentrate on their own game rather than external factors. He stressed that a strong team focuses on their form and winning strategy, irrespective of the opponent or pitch.
Rajput agreed that playing in one venue offers an advantage but highlighted the varying pitch conditions between Pakistan (flatter) and Dubai (slower), noting the adjustment needed for teams.
Despite India’s qualification, Rajput stressed the significance of every match for maintaining team rhythm. He believes every game is important for a coach to ensure the team wins and maintains momentum, especially when performing well. He cautioned against making changes after qualification that could disrupt the team’s rhythm and lead to losses.
Rajput concluded that maintaining a winning streak and top performance is crucial for continued success in the tournament.
