England captain Jos Buttler ahead of the must-win ICC Champions Trophy 2025 encounter against Afghanistan took a sly dig at India as they are playing all their matches in Dubai. India refused to travel to Pakistan for the mega event due to political tensions between the two. Former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton feel that it is a big advantage for India as their selection was easier compared to other teams who had to play at different venues. Buttler is not worried about India and wants to focus on task at hand.
“Not really. I think it's a unique tournament already, isn't it, with being hosted here with one team playing in a different place but that's not something I'm sort of worried too much about at the moment. I've got all my focus on preparing well tonight and our game tomorrow,” Buttler said in the pre-match press conference when asked about India playing their matches in Dubai.
With Group B clash between Australia and South Africa at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium getting washed out due to rain, England's match against Afghanistan is a do or die affair. A win will keep them alive in the tournament before they face South Africa at National Stadium, Karachi on March 1.
Cummins feels India have 'huge advantage'
Earlier, Australian captain Pat Cummins who got ruled out of Champions Trophy due to ankle injury also said that India have got a benefit of playing all games in Dubai.
"I think it's good in that the tournament can go on, but obviously, it does give them (India) a huge advantage playing on the same ground. They already look very strong, and they've got that obvious benefit of playing all their games there," Cummins was quoted as saying by Yahoo Australia.
India storm into semis
Meanwhile, India have qualified for Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals with comprehensive wins over Bangladesh and co-hosts Pakistan respectively. Alongside India, New Zealand have made it to the last four as well. Now, they will face each other on March 2. India will play their semifinal on March 4 in Dubai. If they qualify for the final, it will be hosted in Dubai as well on March 9.
