Rassie van der Dussen suggested at a press conference on Thursday that India is under pressure to fully utilize the benefits they receive at the Champions Trophy, advantages not shared by other teams.
Van der Dussen pointed out the significant advantage India has by staying in one location, using the same hotel and practice facilities, and playing every game at the same stadium on familiar pitches.
He stated that it’s obvious this situation gives India an edge, increasing the expectation for them to succeed. He believes the pressure is on India because any team facing them in the later stages of the tournament will be entering unfamiliar territory, while India will be completely accustomed to the conditions.
Van der Dussen emphasized that India carries the burden of expectation to perform well and “get it right” due to their extensive knowledge of the playing conditions.
India’s unique situation stems from the BCCI’s refusal to play in Pakistan due to security and political concerns. To ensure India’s participation, organizers allowed them to remain in a neutral venue, Dubai, throughout the tournament. This was a necessary compromise, as an ICC event without India is considered financially unsustainable.
It’s implied that other cricket boards, which don’t generate as much revenue for the ICC as the BCCI, might not have received the same preferential treatment.
In contrast, all other teams, except when facing India, have had to travel and play matches in various Pakistani cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. South Africa, as an example, played in Karachi, then traveled to Rawalpindi, and is now back in Karachi, involving multiple flights and hotel changes for just a few games. Meanwhile, India has remained comfortably based in Dubai.
Van der Dussen described the situation as unusual. He mentioned feeling disconnected from the tournament’s flow, noting the long breaks between South Africa’s matches and the numerous training sessions, while other teams are actively competing.
He expressed disappointment about a washed-out match against Australia, anticipating a good contest despite Australia missing some key bowlers. He acknowledged South Africa’s strong performance against Afghanistan and the challenge of maintaining momentum with the disrupted schedule.
Van der Dussen is not the only voice highlighting India’s privileged position. This sentiment has been widely discussed within the cricket community.
Pat Cummins, despite being injured and absent from the Champions Trophy, acknowledged in an interview that while it’s positive the tournament is proceeding, India gains a considerable advantage playing on familiar grounds. He noted their already strong form is further boosted by these home-like benefits.
Pakistan’s head coach, Aaqib Javed, also commented on India’s Dubai base during a press conference, stating it provides an advantage by allowing them to play on a single ground repeatedly.
Javed did qualify his statement after Pakistan’s loss to India, clarifying that their defeat wasn’t solely due to India’s advantageous conditions. He noted the pitch wasn’t entirely new to Pakistan either.
Van der Dussen’s perspective is particularly significant as he is an active player in the tournament and potentially could face verbal challenges from the Indian team in a future match. However, his extensive international experience suggests he is unlikely to be easily intimidated.
Should South Africa play against India, it will be interesting to observe if Van der Dussen’s remarks have any impact on the dynamics of the game.
