'Don't have to be a rocket scientist' to know India have big edge: van der Dussen

However, playing all their matches in Dubai also puts Rohit Sharma's men under pressure to fully capitalise on their advantage, he says

South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen in action during ICC Champions Trophy Group B game against Afghanistan at National Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan on Feb 21, 2025. REUTERS/Zoral Naik

South African batter Rassie van der Dussen believes India have a clear advantage at the ongoing Champions Trophy, given that they are based in Dubai throughout the tournament.

According to him, one does not have to be a "rocket scientist" to know that India have a distinct edge due to being able to train and play in one location without any inter-city or international travel.

However, playing all their matches in the same venue, including the final should they qualify, could also prove to be a double edged sword for Rohit Sharma's men as they will be under pressure to fully exploit their advantage, he said ahead of South Africa's final group game against England on Friday.

"It's definitely an advantage. I saw that Pakistan was commenting about it, but it's definitely an advantage. 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 is quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"I don't think you have to be a rocket scientist to know that. The onus would be on them to use that advantage. 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. The pressure would be on them to get it right because they have all that knowledge."

India have comfortably won both of their group games against Bangladesh and Pakistan to book their spot in a semi-final, which will take place on Mar 4 in Dubai. Their final group match is against New Zealand on Sunday, a team that also has a 100 percent record in the group phase.

South Africa currently tops Group B with three points from two matches. If they continue their winning run, they will either play India in Dubai on Tuesday or New Zealand in Lahore on Wednesday.

Van der Dussen said he would prefer playing in Lahore but the team would be ready for all eventualities.

"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 said.

"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. It's literally one of those things, we don't know what's going to happen until Saturday evening."