India has made it to the final by defeating Australia in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy 2025. Now the title match will be played on March 9. India will face the winner of the second semi-final (South Africa vs New Zealand) to be held today. While the rest of the teams have had to travel from Pakistan to Dubai to face India, Team India is playing all its matches in Dubai. Former cricketers of many countries including Pakistan had accused India of having the advantage of playing at one place. When the same question was asked to Gautam Gambhir after the victory over Australia, he got angry and gave a befitting reply to the critics.

'Not getting any advantage'

Head coach Gautam Gambhir said on Tuesday that the Indian team is not getting any unfair advantage of playing in Dubai and the team has not even taken any practice session on this ground since arriving here for the Champions Trophy. The Indian team has won all the matches played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium so far in this tournament and made it to the final. The team is undefeated in Dubai so far. India has won nine out of 10 matches here and one has been a draw.

'Don't remember which was the last tournament played here'

After India's four-wicket win over Australia in the semi-final, Gambhir said in a press conference, 'I know there is a lot of debate about unfair advantage, but which unfair advantage? First of all, this is as neutral a venue for us as it is for other teams. I don't even remember which was the last tournament played at this stadium.'

'Practised at ICC Academy'

He said, 'We did not practice here even for a single day. We are practicing at ICC Academy. There is a 180-degree difference between the conditions here and there. Some people only know how to complain. I don't think we have got any unfair advantage.' Gambhir also said that India did not field four spinners because they knew the conditions beforehand. He said, 'If you field two spinners in a 15-member team, whether you play in Pakistan or anywhere else, we will select them because the tournament is being held in the subcontinent. We fielded two or three spinners in the last two matches, the rest were all-rounders.

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