"Saw Pakistan...": South Africa Star Joins 'India Venue Advantage' Group In Champions Trophy

South African top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen said one doesn't "have to be a rocket scientist to know" that India are "definitely" in an advantageous position being based in Dubai for the ongoing Champions Trophy, but their knowledge of the conditions could also put them under pressure to fully exploit it. Rohit Sharma's men are playing all their matches in Dubai, and even the final will be held there if the team goes the distance, while the rest of the teams have to criss-cross Pakistan for their matches.

"It's definitely an advantage. I saw that Pakistan was commenting about it, but it's definitely an advantage. If you can stay in one place, stay in one hotel, practise in the same facilities, play in the same stadium, on the same pitches every time, it's definitely an advantage," van der Dussen was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

South Africa will play their last group game against England on Friday.

"I don't think you have to be a rocket scientist to know that. The onus would be on them to use that advantage," van der Dussen continued.

"In a sense, it puts more pressure on them because whoever is going to play them in the semi or potentially the final is going to go there and the conditions are going to be foreign but they (India) are going to be used to it. The pressure would be on them to get it right because they have all that knowledge." India have won both their games, against Bangladesh and Pakistan, comfortably so far and are through to the semifinal on March 4, to be held in Dubai. Their last group match is on Sunday against New Zealand, a team that has so far played in Pakistan, also winning both its games against the home side and Bangladesh.

South Africa are currently topping the Group B chart with