New Delhi: The Dubai International Stadium will host a high-stakes encounter between India and Australia in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This match is not just about advancing to the final; it’s also about India rewriting their recent history against the Australians. The last time India triumphed over Australia in a knockout stage of an ICC event was during the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal. Since then, India has faced several setbacks, including losses in the 2015 ODI World Cup semi-final and the 2023 ODI World Cup final.
India’s optimism stems from their potent spin attack, which has been pivotal in their success on the slow pitches in Dubai. The decision to include five spinners in the squad, initially met with skepticism, has proven to be a strategic masterstroke. Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel have consistently applied pressure, as seen in their recent victory over New Zealand, where they claimed nine wickets and delivered 128 dot balls in 39 overs.
Australia, despite missing key players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, remains a formidable opponent. Their recent chase of 352 against England in Lahore underscores their resilience. However, with only Adam Zampa as a genuine spinner and part-timers Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head, they face a tough challenge against India’s batting lineup, which includes Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and Shubman Gill.
Rohit Sharma acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “It is going to be a good game. Australia has a rich history of playing well in ICC tournaments. Now, it’s about us to do things right.” The match promises to be a slow-burner but is expected to be a thrilling contest nonetheless.
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