The two powerhouses of world cricket, India and Australia, are set to collide in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, marking their first ODI encounter since the 2023 World Cup final. The match promises to be a high-stakes affair as India seeks redemption after their heartbreaking loss to Australia in Ahmedabad.
India heads into this crucial clash on the back of a 44-run victory over New Zealand in their final group match on March 2 in Dubai. Shreyas Iyer played a pivotal role with 79 runs, while mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy delivered a match-winning performance, claiming five wickets for 42 runs, dismantling the Kiwi batting lineup.
Australia, on the other hand, has played fewer matches in the tournament, with two of their fixtures being washed out in Pakistan. Despite missing some of their star players, the Aussies remain a formidable side, making this semi-final a compelling contest.
Pitch and Team Combination
The Dubai pitch has favored spin, and India’s four-pronged spin attack of Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy is expected to play a crucial role. Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir are likely to continue with Chakravarthy, given his outstanding performance against New Zealand.
Another major selection debate revolves around KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. Rahul, who has been the preferred wicketkeeper, has struggled with the bat, raising speculation about Pant’s inclusion. However, the final decision remains uncertain.
India Predicted Playing XI vs Australia (Champions Trophy 2025 Semi-Final)
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- Axar Patel
- Hardik Pandya
- KL Rahul (wk)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Shami
- Varun Chakravarthy
With India eyeing a spot in the Champions Trophy 2025 final, all eyes will be on how they tackle an Australian side missing key players but still posing a significant challenge.
