Did India’s Dubai-Only Schedule Give It an Advantage Over Other Teams?

While other teams battled travel, jet lag, and fatigue, India played all their matches in one venue in Dubai.

KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja of India celebrate winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi final between India and Australia at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates on March 4, 2025. Francois Nel/Getty Images

India secured a spot in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final on March 4 at Dubai International Stadium after beating Australia.

But as the dust settles on this high-stakes clash, a lingering question looms over the tournament: did India’s fixed home ground in Dubai give them an unfair edge over the travel-weary Aussies and other competing teams?