South Africa's top order batsman Rassie van der Dussen said that one does not need to be a 'rocket scientist' to know that India is getting the advantage of playing in Dubai in the Champions Trophy. Dussen feels that India has understood the conditions there very well and this is putting pressure on them to perform well.

Statement of Rassie van der Dussen
The Indian team is playing all its matches in Dubai and if it reaches the final, that too will be played in Dubai, while the matches of the rest of the teams are being held in Pakistan. Van der Dussen told ESPNcricinfo, 'India has an advantage. I saw that Pakistan was talking about this, but there is an advantage. If you are staying at the same place, in the same hotel, practicing on the same ground, and playing on the same pitch, then there is an advantage.' He said, 'One does not need to be a rocket scientist to know this, but there will also be pressure on India to take full advantage of the situation.'

'More pressure on India to win'

He said, 'This puts more pressure on them because whoever plays against them in the semi-finals or finals will go there and the conditions will be foreign, but they (India) are going to use it. There will be pressure on them to prove their decision right.' India has so far registered easy wins against Bangladesh and Pakistan and entered the semi-finals to be held on March 4. Their last group match is against New Zealand on Sunday.

The South Africa team may face India.

South Africa's team is at the top of Group B with three points from two matches and if the equation is formed, Dusen's team may have to tour Dubai. Or they will face New Zealand in Lahore. When asked about his personal choice between playing in Lahore and Dubai, Van der Dusen said that he would like to play in Lahore. He said, 'If it is a personal choice, then I would say that I would like to play in Lahore because it is easy to bat there. The pitch of Dubai is not high scoring like Lahore.'

Cummins and Aaqib also gave statements.

He said, 'Logically it will be easier to play in Lahore. You will not have to travel to Dubai. Lahore is not far from where we are. So the conditions are quite similar.' Earlier, Australia captain Pat Cummins, who was ruled out of the tournament due to an ankle injury, had also said that India would benefit greatly from staying in Dubai. Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed had stated this after the team's poor performance but said that India dominated from the beginning. Aaqib said, 'Look, they are in Dubai for a reason. If they are playing in Dubai for some reason, then of course if you play on the same pitch or ground, you get an advantage, but the reason for our defeat is not India playing in Dubai. We have not played fewer matches there nor has India played 10 matches there.

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