India faces Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-final with an unpredictable element—the pitch. Skipper Rohit Sharma summed it up, saying, “We don’t know which pitch is going to be played.”

So far, Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) has hosted three different pitches for India’s matches against Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand. However, the semi-final will feature a fresh surface.

ECB & ICC Oversee Pitch Preparation

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) is preparing the pitch under the supervision of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Australian curator Matthew Sandery manages the surfaces at both DICS and the ICC Academy.

Some believe India has an advantage by playing multiple matches at this venue. Rohit dismissed the claims, stating, “This is not our home, this is Dubai. We don’t play many matches here. It’s new for us too.”

Australia Analyzes the Pitch First

The Indian team took a rest day before the semi-final, so Rohit Sharma didn’t inspect the wicket. However, Australian captain Steve Smith examined it and shared his thoughts. “The entire square is quite dry. The groundsman mentioned that a dry surface with a lot of traffic will be in play,” Smith noted.

What to Expect from the Pitch

DICS pitches have played slow and dry, offering assistance to spinners. The new surface is likely to behave the same way, making team selection and the toss crucial. With both teams relying on strong batting and spin attacks, pitch conditions could decide the outcome.