The cricketing world is set for an electrifying showdown as India and Australia lock horns in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. With both teams eyeing a spot in the grand finale, expect an intense battle between two cricketing giants.
With a rich history of 151 ODIs, where Australia leads with 84 wins compared to India’s 57, this high-stakes encounter promises edge-of-the-seat action. The last ICC face-off between these sides was in the 2023 World Cup final, where Australia clinched the title in Ahmedabad.
India vs Australia: Road to the Semi-Final
- India’s Dominant Performance
India has been in red-hot form, securing dominant victories over Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the group stage
- Australia’s Unpredictable Journey
Australia, on the other hand, started strong with a commanding win over England, but their other two matches against South Africa and Afghanistan were washed out due to rain.
Match Details
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Match: IND vs AUS, Champions Trophy 2025 Semi-Final
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Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
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Date & Time: March 4, Tuesday | 2:30 PM IST (Toss at 2:00 PM IST)
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Live Telecast: Star Sports, Sports18
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Live Streaming: JioCinema & Hotstar
Squads: Key Players to Watch
India Squad:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Mohammed Shami, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana.
Key Players:
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Virat Kohli & Shubman Gill: The backbone of India’s batting lineup, both in sublime form.
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Rohit Sharma: Known for explosive starts, crucial on Dubai’s sluggish track.
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Varun Chakaravarthy & Kuldeep Yadav: The spin duo will play a pivotal role.
Australia Squad:
Jake Fraser-McGurk, Travis Head, Steve Smith (C), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (WK), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson, Sean Abbott, Aaron Hardie, Tanveer Sangha, Cooper Connolly.
Key Players:
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Steve Smith & Travis Head: Australia’s experienced anchors at the top.
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Josh Inglis: A powerful striker with a recent century in the campaign.
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Adam Zampa: Can challenge India’s batters with his leg-spin.
Pitch & Weather Report
Pitch Analysis
The Dubai pitch has generally been on the slower side compared to the high-scoring surfaces seen in Pakistan. With India relying heavily on their spinners, this surface is expected to favor their bowling attack. Australia, having played on batting-friendly tracks, may need to adjust their approach.
Weather Conditions
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Afternoon: Hazy conditions with a temperature around 30°C
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Evening: Temperature dropping to 22°C with partly cloudy skies
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No rain expected
Tactical Decisions & Possible Game-Changers
- The Varun Chakaravarthy Gamble
India is expected to rely on their mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy to exploit the sluggish Dubai pitch. His ability to turn the ball unpredictably could be a major challenge for Australian batters.
- Australia’s Middle-Order Conundrum
With Matt Short injured, Australia has the option of fielding Jake Fraser-McGurk or opting for a more spin-resilient all-rounder in Cooper Connolly. Given Dubai’s conditions, the latter could be the preferred choice.
Head-to-Head Record: Who Has the Upper Hand?
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Total ODIs Played: 151
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Australia Wins: 84
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India Wins: 57
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No Results: 10
Their last encounter in a 50-over ICC event was in the 2023 World Cup final, where Australia triumphed over India in Ahmedabad.
India’s Risk Management: Rohit & Iyer’s Role
- Powerplay Blitz: Rohit Sharma
The key to India’s success in Dubai has been their approach to powerplays. Despite slow surfaces, Rohit Sharma has consistently provided aggressive starts, ensuring India stays ahead. In their last two chases, India managed 69 and 64 runs in the first 10 overs, providing a solid foundation for the middle order.
- Middle-Order Stability: Shreyas Iyer
With Shreyas Iyer’s adaptability on slow tracks, India’s middle-order looks stable. His 67-ball 56 against Pakistan showcased his ability to counter spinners. Against New Zealand, despite initial struggles, he managed to shift gears at the right time. His strike rate of 82.41 at No.4 proves his importance in absorbing pressure and accelerating when needed.
- Finishing Firepower: Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja
Unlike the World Cup in 2023, where batting-friendly surfaces allowed late acceleration, Dubai’s sluggish pitch demands a different approach. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja have been effective in closing innings, especially against teams employing slower bowlers in the death overs.
Australia’s Tactical Approach
- Taking Down Shreyas Iyer
Australia’s bowlers, especially Zampa and Maxwell, will likely target Shreyas Iyer, who has been India’s anchor in the middle overs. In the 2023 World Cup final, dismissing him early played a crucial role in Australia’s triumph. Expect the Aussies to adopt a similar game plan.
- Mitchell Starc’s Absence – A Major Setback?
Without their premier left-arm pacer, Australia’s seam attack lacks experience. The likes of Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson will have to step up, especially in the death overs.
Final Thoughts: Who Holds the Edge?
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India’s Strengths:
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In-form batting unit with Gill, Kohli, and Rohit.
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A world-class spin attack well-suited for Dubai.
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Momentum from three consecutive wins.
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Australia’s Strengths:
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A deep batting lineup with Smith, Head, and Inglis.
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A history of dominating India in ICC knockout games.
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Power hitters like Maxwell and Carey who can turn games around.
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With both teams equipped with world-class talent and strategies tailored for Dubai’s conditions, the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final between India and Australia is set to be a thrilling contest. While India holds an edge with their balanced squad and spin advantage, Australia’s history of delivering under pressure makes them formidable opponents. Cricket fans worldwide will be eagerly awaiting what promises to be a blockbuster showdown.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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