The stage is set for a thrilling showdown in semi-final 1 of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, as cricketing giants India and Australia go head-to-head tomorrow, March 4, 2025, at 2:30 PM IST, at the iconic Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Expect fireworks as these two powerhouses compete for a spot in the finals!
Rohit Sharma‘s team will be trying to avenge the damage suffered by the Australians at the finals of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, though it won’t be the same, a win against the Aussies would surely give the fans a feel-good factor. Meanwhile, Australia will try to retain its solid record in ICC competitions. The important thing to know is that this Australian squad is missing many of its finest players, including Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood.
India have a flawless record, winning three consecutive group stage matches. Rohit Sharma has looked terrific, but would want to bat long. Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer strengthen the top order, while Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, KL Rahul have also got good game time before this fixture. The effective execution of spin bowlers, particularly on Dubai’s spin-friendly surfaces, has been critical to their success. Varun Chakravarthy‘s remarkable five-wicket haul against New Zealand has added a completely new dimension to India’s bowling attack. Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, and Harshit Rana are all part of India’s bowling lineup, and it will be interesting to watch what combination Gautam Gambhir will opt for.
Australia’s route to the semi-finals was marked by a mix of results, including a rain-affected contest against Afghanistan. Despite these hurdles, their continuous success has cemented their place among the tournament’s top competitors. Travis Head and Matthew Short will look to get the ball rolling, followed by Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to keep things steady in the middle overs. The middle order is stacked with big hitters like Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, and Alex Carey, who can turn the game around in a few overs. It will be a slow wicket to bat on and thus, it will be vital to see how these big hitters take the game ahead. Adam Zampa‘s leg spin and Nathan Ellis‘ pace will be crucial as well in restricting India’s quality batting lineup.
Head-to-Head:
Both countries have played each other 151 times in ODI cricket. While India have won 57 of those, Australia have also secured wins on 84 occasions. 10 matches also concluded without a result.
Where to Watch:
TV: Star Sports, Sports18
OTT: JioHotstar (Previously Disney+ Hotstar)