By Zainab Shafiq 
India’s cricket team is on the brink of securing a semi-final spot in the ICC Champions Trophy after delivering commanding performances against Bangladesh and Pakistan in Dubai. Their final group match against New Zealand on Sunday could be a mere formality, as their place in the knockout stages seems all but assured.
Do India have an unfair advantage in Champions Trophy?
Playing all their matches at the Dubai International Stadium under a hybrid model—after refusing to play in Pakistan—India have showcased remarkable consistency. However, this has raised questions about whether the team enjoys an unfair advantage. Australian captain Pat Cummins, who opted out of the tournament to focus on family and recovery, weighed in on the debate.
“It’s great to see the tournament going ahead, but there’s no denying that India benefits from playing all their games on the same ground,” Cummins remarked. “They’ve looked incredibly strong, and that consistency definitely plays to their advantage.”
Cummins talks about his rehab ahead of IPL
Cummins, who is set to return to cricket next month as the captain of SunRisers Hyderabad in the IPL, shared updates on his recovery. “Being home has been fantastic, and my ankle rehab is progressing well. I’ll start running and bowling this week. With the IPL, the Test World Championship, and a tour to the West Indies, there’s a lot to look forward to,” he said.
In Cummins’ absence, Steve Smith has taken the reins of the Australian team, which kicked off their campaign with a thrilling win against England in Lahore. Josh Inglis’ unbeaten 120 off 86 balls was the highlight of the match, as Australia chased down a daunting target of 352.
Cummins praised Inglis’ performance, calling it a breakthrough moment. “Josh has always been a class player, but this feels like his arrival on the big stage. He’s versatile against spin and pace, and now he’s got centuries in all formats. When the next Test comes around, selecting the squad will be a tough task,” he added.
As India continue their dominant run, the debate over venue advantage adds an intriguing subplot to the tournament.
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New Zealand defeat Pakistan by 60 runs in Champions Trophy 2025 opener