Cricketing powerhouses India and Australia are set to face off in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday. Both teams will battle for a coveted spot in the title clash scheduled for Sunday.
This knockout match promises high-stakes drama, fierce rivalry, and thrilling cricket. India and Australia bring rich histories and recent form into this encounter, making it a must-watch for fans worldwide. Memories of the 2023 World Cup and the recent Border-Gavaskar series will undoubtedly add fuel to the fire.
Australia’s ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure games, even without some key players, makes them formidable opponents. Meanwhile, India’s dominant group stage performance positions them as strong contenders.
Recent Form:
India: India’s perfect group stage campaign included a comprehensive win over New Zealand, giving them three wins in Dubai and crucial time to adapt to the conditions. Their formidable spin attack could play a decisive role in the semi-final.
Australia: Australia’s group stage was affected by rain, with two of their three games impacted, including one complete washout. However, they showcased their prowess with an impressive win over England and were on track for victory against Afghanistan before rain intervened.
Players to Watch:
India: Kuldeep Yadav
India’s spin arsenal is well-known, and Kuldeep Yadav stands out with his consistent wicket-taking ability. Having taken multiple wickets in two of India’s three group-stage games, his confidence is high. His 3/40 against Pakistan played a crucial role in India’s comfortable chase of 241.
Australia: Adam Zampa
Australia’s spin department will be crucial in Dubai’s conditions, and Adam Zampa will need to deliver in his 10 overs. The 32-year-old leg-spinner has admitted he hasn’t been at his best in the Champions Trophy so far, but this high-stakes game offers him the perfect stage to turn things around.
Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Australia: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.
The stage is set for an electrifying contest between two cricketing giants. With both teams eager to secure a place in the final, fans can expect a game full of strategy, skill, and passion.
