Dubai Pitch Curator throws the biggest challenge to Rohit Sharma for India vs Australia Semi Final

The highly anticipated semi-final clash between India and Australia is all set to take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 4. Before the game, there were plenty of speculations about the behavior and the nature of the pitch.

Finally, some reports have emerged regarding the pitch selection which has been the talking point over the last few days. The pitches in Dubai have been spin-friendly so far and it was already speculated earlier that it will assist the spinners in the semi-final as well.

The pitches in Dubai are being prepared by the Emirates Cricket Board, who also control the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS), under ICC's supervision. The pitch curator, Matthew Sandery, an Australian, is taking care of the pitches both in Dubai and the ICC Academy.

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New pitch awaits India and Australia in CT 2025 semis

According to Cricbuzz, a fresh pitch awaits both India and Australia for their semi-final match in Dubai. It will be an unknown territory for Rohit Sharma and his men as well, who have already played three matches at the venue this tournament.

The Men in Blue played all their three matches on different strips, against Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand. However, the Tuesday's semi-final will be played on a totally different pitch.

Before the match, captain Rohit Sharma was attacked for playing at just one venue and with claims like they are playing at their home despite not being the hosts. However, Rohit had clearly stated "we don't know which pitch is going to be played".

Rohit was absolutely correct and has no idea about the pitch's behavior. The team management, along with the captain Rohit Sharma, will have a look at the pitch on the match day and then decide their Playing XI.

"This is not our home, this is Dubai. So, we don't play so many matches here. This is new for us too," Rohit replied when asked about India's advantage of playing all their games on the same ground.

How will the pitch behave?

Dubai pitches have so far assisted the spin bowlers in all the three matches so far. The scores haven't been big enough and the batters have found it tough to get going. With no dew, the pitches have become slower and difficult to bat on as the game progresses.

The pitch for the semi-final is likely to be something similar. It is expected to be slow and dry and will provide assistance to the spinners, which will bring Indian tweakers into play.

The Men in Blue have plenty of spinners in the squad and could go with four spinners again in this game, just like they did in their final group stage match against New Zealand on the same ground.

Experts slam the Men in Blue for playing in Dubai

Some false narratives were built during the ongoing Champions Trophy that India are trying to take an "undeniable advantage" by playing all their matches in Dubai instead of travelling to other cities like the other teams.

Former England cricketers Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton are some of those experts who claimed that the Men in Blue have an advantage over the other teams for playing all their matches in Dubai without bothering to change the venues.

Even South Africa's batter Rassie van der Dussen claimed that India have an advantage over other sides of the tournament. "I don't think you have to be a rocket scientist to know that", Van der Dussen responded when asked if India have the advantage.