The much-anticipated India vs Australia semi-final in the Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place at the Dubai International Stadium. With both teams vying for a spot in the final, the focus now shifts to how the pitch will behave and what strategy the teams should adopt.
IND vs AUS Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final pitch report
Winning the toss and batting first is often the go-to strategy in high-pressure games. However, Dubai’s conditions have historically favored teams chasing a target. Statistics show that batting second has generally yielded better results, making the toss a crucial factor in this semi-final.
While India defended their total against New Zealand in their last game, spin played a major role in that victory. The Dubai surface is expected to be slow, favoring spinners, especially in the middle overs. This means that winning the toss and opting to bowl first could be the better approach, considering the recent trends of teams successfully chasing totals.
Dubai International Stadium ODI stats
| STATS – ODI | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Total matches | 61 |
| Matches won batting first | 23 |
| Matches won bowling first | 36 |
| Average 1st innings score | 219 |
| Average 2nd innings score | 193 |
| Highest total recorded | 355/5 (50 Ovs) – ENG vs PAK |
| Lowest total recorded | 91/10 (31.1 Ovs) – NAM vs UAE |
| Highest score chased | 287/8 (49.4 Ovs) – SL vs PAK |
| Lowest score defended | 168/10 (46.3 Ovs) – UAE vs NEP |
With slow conditions and spin likely to be a deciding factor, both teams will have to carefully assess their playing XI and strategies. The pitch report suggests that a team chasing might have the advantage, but given India’s strong bowling attack, they might back themselves to defend if they post a competitive total.
