New Delhi: India will lock horns with the reigning world champions Australia in the first semi-final of the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on Tuesday, March 04. India topped Group A after beating New Zealand by 44 runs in their final group-stage encounter to set up a mouth-watering showdown with Australia in the semi-final.
This will be the first time the two teams will be meeting in an ODI since Australia defeated India by six wickets in the 2023 ODI World Cup final to lift their sixth title. India will be aiming to avenge the defeat and secure their spot in the final of the Champions Trophy 2025. The Men in Blue have some major selection headaches ahead of the all-important semi-final.
Will Varun Chakaravarthy pip Kuldeep Yadav?
Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy delivered a match-winning performance with the ball for India in their thumping victory against New Zealand on Sunday. Chakaravarthy shone on his Champions Trophy debut as he ran through the Kiwi batting line-up with a five-wicket haul. He spun a web around the New Zealand batters with his wizardry to help India successfully defend 249 runs in the game.
India played a four-pronged spin attack against New Zealand and will be tempted to keep Chakaravarthy in the mix in the semi-final against Australia. However, if the team management decides to recall Harshit Rana in the XI, Kuldeep Yadav might have to make the way for Chakaravarthy. Kuldeep offers a rare skillset and is far more experienced but hasn’t delivered consistently in the tournament so far.
Nonetheless, it will be a tough call for India to drop a spinner of Kuldeep’s calibre for a big like a semi-final. India can also choose to retain their 4-proged spin attack consisting of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep and Chakaravarthy. However, the semi-final is set to be played on a new strip in Dubai which would mean India might need Rana back in the XI to support Mohammed Shami.
No changes in batting line-up
India are unlikely to make any changes in their batting line-up which has looked settled in the tournament so far. Barring skipper Rohit Sharma, who has failed to fire at the top, nearly all other Indian batters have contributed and have been among the runs in the Champions Trophy 2025. India would like to retain their winning combination for the semi-final against Australia.
India’s predicted XI for semi-final vs Australia:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk) Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav/Varun Chakaravarthy, Mohammed Shami, Harshit Rana
Will India continue with a four-pronged spin attack or will they sacrifice one spinner for a pacer in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025 against Australia on Tuesday? Here is a look at India’s predicted playing XI for the game. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
