India's captain, Rohit Sharma, responded to critics regarding the perception that the team has gained an advantage by playing all their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai. In contrast, former Australian cricketer Brad Haddin asserted that, given India's acclimatization to Dubai's conditions, the pressure will be squarely on them during the semifinal against Australia on Tuesday.

India opted not to tour Pakistan for the ICC tournament due to political and security concerns, which led the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to implement a hybrid model, designating Dubai as the neutral venue for all of India's matches. Critics, including Pat Cummins, have suggested that India enjoys an "undeniable advantage" in Dubai, as they avoid the complications of traveling between venues and have become accustomed to the local conditions.

Haddin emphasized that this scenario has intensified the pressure on India to reach the final, despite labeling them as the clear favorites. "India finds itself in a unique situation, having played every match at the same venue, where the pitch is dry and lacks grass. This environment favors India, and I believe all the pressure rests on them," Haddin remarked on the Willow Talk podcast.

"They have set the stage and are performing exceptionally well, but this is a one-off match. Australia prides itself on ensuring its tournament performance is impeccable, and this game is no exception. I believe there is no pressure on the Australians whatsoever. India has had everything go their way, and while it may not be classified as an upset, I can envision Australia defeating India in these conditions. I hope for that outcome, particularly considering the context of the tournament."

Haddin cautions Gautam Gambhir

The upcoming match is being promoted as India's opportunity to equalize following their defeat to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final on home soil. Haddin expressed that anything short of a victory will likely face significant criticism in India. He also noted that there is considerable pressure on head coach Gautam Gambhir, as the team has not achieved the expected results during his time in charge.

"There is substantial pressure on India, given their performance since Gautam Gambhir assumed the coaching role," he remarked. "Their recent play has not been particularly successful or appealing over the past six months. Therefore, the expectation is high for India to reach the final. Should they fail to do so, a strong backlash is anticipated."

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