New Delhi: India and Australia are set to clash in a high-intensity semi-final game in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 4, Tuesday. Both teams will face off in a repeat of the 2023 ODI World Cup final, eyeing a spot in the final.
The last time these two sides met in an ICC knockout game, Australia broke the hearts of many Indians and emerged victorious in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. While India will be looking to settle the score and take a revenge, Australia will once again try to produce the same result and will aim to continue their dominance in ICC knockout matches.
Let’s have a look at some key battles in tomorrow’s game which will be crucial in determining the result.
1) Mohammed Shami vs Travis Head
The battle between Mohammed Shami and Travis Head in the powerplay is set to be a crucial tactical contest in the semi-final. Shami, known for his lethal swing and seam movement, has been in top form in ICC tournaments but he has looked below par in CT 2025. However, Head has been a nightmare for the Indian side.
The Australian opener played an explosive match-winning knock of 137 the last time these two teams faced off in a knockout ICC game. Head’s aggressive approach against pace makes him quite dangerous in the powerplay. He likes to take on the new ball and disrupt a bowler’s rhythm, as he did in the World Cup final. On the other hand, Shami’s ability to swing the ball both ways makes him very lethal in the powerplay.
If Shami can find early swing and get rid of Head quickly in the powerplay, India can have the control over Australia’s scoring rate and chances restricting them on a low total increase. However, if Head capitalizes during the powerplay, he could once again shift the momentum in Australia’s favour , giving them the perfect required start in a big game like the semi final.
2) Indian Spin bowling vs Australia’s middle-order
India have a strong spin attack, featuring Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy. The Dubai pitch has assisted spinners, and India’s spin unit has been unplayable recently taking nine wickets in the match against New Zealand. Chakravarthy is in great form as he took a fifer in his debut champions trophy game and will be looking to do the same in the semi-final too.
Australia’s middle order, including Glenn Maxwell, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey , Josh Inglis has struggled at times against quality spin. If they fail to rotate the strike, dot-ball pressure could force mistakes. However, Maxwell’s aggressive approach , Josh Inglis’s and Alex Carey’s form can help Australia in overcoming this barrier.
If the pitch is slow and dry, India’s spinners will have a major advantage. However, if Australia’s middle order attacks early and rotates the strike consistently, it will be problematic for India and Rohit Sharma. Australia’s ability to handle spin will likely decide the match.
3) Rohit Sharma vs Australian Left Arm Pacers
What Travis Head is to India, Rohit Sharma can be the same to Australia.
Rohit Sharma’s struggles against left-arm pacers have been well-known, particularly with the new ball. His vulnerability to deliveries that swing back into him is exploited by bowlers like Mitchell Starc, Shaheen Afridi, Trent Boult, and Mohammad Amir.
In ODIs, Rohit has scored 1,696 runs against left-arm pacers at an impressive average of 47.1, but he has also been dismissed 36 times by them. The way he will handle Spencer Johnson and Ben Dwarshuis will be the key factor in deciding India’s scoring rate during the powerplay.
If Australia’s left-arm pacers, especially Spencer Johnson, taking in mind the movement he was getting in the game against Afghanistan, get early movement in tomorrow’s semi-final, Rohit will need to be extra cautious. However, if he sees off the initial spell, his ability to dominate pace attacks could tilt the game in India’s favour.
The India vs Australia semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai promises a high-stakes rematch of the 2023 World Cup final. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
