Former Australian cricket star voices criticism against Rohit Sharma and team for playing all matches in Dubai: ‘You have become accustomed to…’

The critics criticized the Indian team for supposedly benefitting from the 'home advantage' despite Pakistan serving as the host of the event. However, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir dismissed their claims by stating that the team had not practiced at the Dubai stadium or used ICC facilities since the beginning of the tournament. He also criticized the critics as perpetual complainers. On the other hand, paceman Mohammad Shami, India’s lead pacer with eight wickets in four games, expressed a different viewpoint, acknowledging that knowing the conditions and pitch behavior did indeed help the team.

Hogg has shared his opinion on the matter and said the contrasting views of Gambhir and Shami also made others think India having a slight advantage playing all their matches at one venue.

"You are playing at one venue. You have played all your games there and got used to the conditions. Gautam Gambhir came out and said, 'Look, you shouldn't be complaining as it a neutral venue for us as well'. But then, Shami came out on top of that and said that playing in Dubai has helped his bowling and playing at one particular venue has worked for him. So, that made others think that India are having a slight advantage," Hogg told .

India were ready to back out from the competition when the government denied them permission to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The ICC and PCB had to adopt a hybrid model for the event.

“Only team which can beat India in Dubai is New Zealand”

Hogg acknowledged the political tensions between India and Pakistan and hopes that cricketing nations between them resumes soon. However, he claimed that Australia didn't complain about India playing at same venue as they were beaten by a better team in semis but he also claims that New Zealand have the ability to beat Rohit and Co. in Dubai.

"At the end of the day, we wanted India to play the Champions Trophy. This political issue with Pakistan prevented them from playing over there. Hopefully, one day all this stops, so the cricketing relations between the two nations resume. This is the scenario we are all in. Australia did not complain. They accepted it and got beaten by a better team on a particular day. I think the only team which can beat India in Dubai is New Zealand," said Hogg.

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