Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has admitted that playing all matches at a single venue in Dubai during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has worked in India’s favor. Shami’s admission follows India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir’s dismissal of such notions, as he addressed concerns over whether India’s exclusive use of the Dubai International Cricket Stadium throughout the tournament provided an unfair advantage. Gambhir insisted that the team had simply adapted well to the conditions.
However, Mohammed Shami openly acknowledged that playing at the same ground for every game has been a significant factor in the outcomes of the Champions Trophy matches.
“It certainly worked in our favor because we’ve become familiar with the pitch and conditions,” he said after India’s semi-final win over Australia. “Playing all our matches at one venue is definitely an advantage.”
Due to political tensions, India opted against traveling to host nation Pakistan, resulting in all their group-stage fixtures being scheduled in Dubai. Meanwhile, the other competing teams had to travel between multiple cities in Pakistan and the UAE, adjusting to different pitch and weather conditions throughout the tournament. India’s favorable scheduling has also been called out by players from other teams.
Regardless of any perceived advantage, Rohit Sharma’s men have looked unstoppable on the field. The team has reached the Champions Trophy final with a perfect record so far. Mohammed Shami has led India’s pace attack with great success, playing a key role in their campaign. With 8 wickets, he is currently tied as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, although Matt Henry still has a game in hand.
Mohammed Shami and India will look to cap off a memorable Champions Trophy campaign when they face the winner of the South Africa vs. New Zealand semi-final in Dubai on March 9.