Will India play Champions Trophy 2025 matches on fresh Dubai pitches? Here’s what a report suggests

India to Play All 2025 ICC Champions Trophy Matches on Fresh Pitches at Dubai International Cricket Stadium

India’s matches in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will be held on two newly-prepared pitches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS). The Men in Blue will kick off their campaign with a match against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by fixtures against Pakistan (February 23) and New Zealand (March 2).

Key Points from the Report:

• Fresh Pitches for India’s Matches: According to PTI, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium has 10 match strips, but two of them were specifically kept fresh for the Champions Trophy. These pitches are expected to provide balanced support to both batters and bowlers during the tournament. “There are 10 match strips at the DICS. During the league stage, there were specific instructions that those two wouldn’t be used now and needed to be kept fresh for the Champions Trophy,” a source told PTI.
• Balanced Conditions: The goal behind reserving these pitches is to prevent them from becoming “low and slow” after overuse, which could result in dull matches. The fresh pitches are expected to offer an equal advantage to both batsmen and bowlers, contributing to more competitive games.
• ILT20 History: The recent International League T20 (ILT20) played at the same venue saw pacers dominating, taking 68.2% of the wickets. However, with the use of fresh pitches, conditions could shift, potentially favoring spinners more than before. “The fresh pitches will aid the batters and bowlers in equal measure,” the source added.

India’s Spin Strength:

• Spin Options for India: India has a strong spin contingent for the Champions Trophy, with five spinners in their squad: Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, and Washington Sundar. If the pitches provide more assistance to spinners, this could work in India’s favor.

India’s Champions Trophy Schedule:

• India vs Bangladesh: February 20, Dubai
• India vs Pakistan: February 23, Dubai
• India vs New Zealand: March 2, Dubai

Conclusion:

India’s matches in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will be played on fresh pitches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, ensuring a balanced playing field for both batters and bowlers. The preparation of these pitches comes as part of efforts to avoid slow conditions and provide more competitive matches. With a strong spin attack in their squad, India will be well-prepared to adapt to any changes in pitch conditions during the tournament.