The first semi-final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy sees India take on Australia on March 5 in Dubai.
For this massive encounter between two fierce rivals, here are our preview and predictions.
India have a distinct advantage for this game as they have played all their previous games in Dubai and know the conditions much better than Australia, who up to this point have only played in Pakistan. Add to that the fact that India have played all their matches in their entirety while Australia only got a full game against England and the other two washed out, it’s clear who has the upper hand.
India played New Zealand in their last encounter. Batting first, they lost three big wickets in the Powerplay and looked like faltering. However, Shreyas Iyer (79 off 98) and Axar Patel (42 off 61) initiated the rebuild and, with more help from Hardik Pandya (45 off 45) down the order, India managed to get a fighting total of 249/9. Kiwi pacer Matt Henry ended with the best figures of 5/42.
In response, New Zealand didn’t have a riposte to India’s spin quartet of Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Ravindra Jadeja. Chakaravarthy’s inclusion was a masterstroke by the Indian think tank as he ended up taking a fifer (5/42). India bowled out New Zealand for 205 runs in 45.3 overs to finish unbeaten and top of their group. On the Kiwi side, only top-order batter Kane Williamson offered some resistance with a fighting score of 81 (120).
Australia, on the other hand, didn’t get to play against South Africa and couldn’t bat the full overs against Afghanistan, but their batting order has already chased a 350+ score against England in their opening game, demonstrating they’re not to be trifled with. That said, their bowling is a bit of a concern as they have inexperienced fast bowlers. With the exception of Adam Zampa, they don’t possess decent spin bowling options either, which could hamper their chances.
Based on team balance, form, and better experience of the conditions, India look more likely to go through, but count Australia out in an ICC tournament at your own peril.
Fantasy XI: Travis Head, Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Shreyas Iyer, Josh Inglis (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Adam Zampa, Mohammed Shami
Winners Prediction: India
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Dubai, UAE
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