Related Articles
The stage is set for a thrilling semi-final clash between India and Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India, riding high on confidence after three consecutive wins in the group stage, will look to avenge their World Cup loss against Australia. Meanwhile, Australia, despite missing key bowlers like Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood, boasts a formidable batting lineup led by Travis Head, Steven Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne.
With the pitch expected to favor spinners, India’s Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy could play pivotal roles. Below is a detailed preview of the match, including team line-ups, pitch report, toss prediction, and fantasy team recommendations.
Match Details
| Match | IND vs AUS (Semi-Final) |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | 4th March 2025 2:30 PM |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium |
| Format | One Day International |
| Key Players | IND: Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel |
| AUS: Travis Head, Adam Zampa |
Team Previews
India Preview
India enters this match as favorites, having dominated the group stage with clinical performances. Their bowling attack, spearheaded by Varun Chakravarthy’s five-wicket haul against New Zealand, has been exceptional. However, the top-order collapse in the last game raises concerns about consistency.
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill need to step up, while Shreyas Iyer’s form in the middle order provides stability. The deep batting lineup, featuring KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja, ensures flexibility. Spinners like Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Jadeja are likely to exploit the turning track, giving India a significant advantage over Australia’s inexperienced bowling attack.
Australia Preview
Australia’s batting lineup remains their strength, with Travis Head and Matthew Short in fine form. Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne will be crucial in countering India’s spin-heavy attack. However, their bowling unit lacks depth without their premier pacers, relying heavily on Nathan Ellis, Ben Dwarshuis, and Adam Zampa.
Glenn Maxwell’s all-round abilities add balance, but the absence of experienced bowlers could prove costly. Josh Inglis and Alex Carey provide stability in the lower middle order, but Australia’s chances hinge on their batters stepping up against India’s formidable attack.
Favourite Team to Win Today’s Match
| Team | Reasons |
|---|---|
| India | Stronger squad depth, superior spin attack, recent form, and home conditions familiarity. |
Why? : India’s well-rounded team, combined with favorable pitch conditions, gives them the edge. Their spinners are likely to dominate Australia’s inexperienced batting lineup, making them clear favorites.
Fantasy Team XI
| Player | Role | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Shreyas Iyer (c) | Batter | IND |
| Travis Head (vc) | Batter | AUS |
| Rohit Sharma | Batter | IND |
| Steven Smith | Batter | AUS |
| Axar Patel | All-Rounder | IND |
| Glenn Maxwell | All-Rounder | AUS |
| KL Rahul (wk) | WK-Batter | IND |
| Ravindra Jadeja | All-Rounder | IND |
| Adam Zampa | Bowler | AUS |
| Varun Chakravarthy | Bowler | IND |
| Mohammed Shami | Bowler | IND |
Explanation : This balanced XI includes top performers from both teams. Shreyas Iyer leads the side, supported by Travis Head as vice-captain. The team features a mix of explosive batters, reliable all-rounders, and wicket-taking bowlers.
Suggested Captains and Vice-Captains
- Captain : Shreyas Iyer (IND) – In-form batter who thrives under pressure.
- Vice-Captain : Travis Head (AUS) – Explosive opener capable of changing the game.
Players to Avoid
- Spencer Johnson (AUS) : Expensive in previous games; inconsistent with the ball.
- Hardik Pandya (IND) : Struggled for consistency in recent matches.
Probable Playing XIs
| India | Australia |
|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel | Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne |
| KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami | Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis |
| Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy | Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson |
Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
- Pitch Report : Balanced but favors spinners; average first-innings score ~224.
- Weather Forecast : Partly cloudy with no rain expected; temperature around 28°C.
Toss Prediction
Both captains are likely to opt to bowl first, given the pitch’s assistance for early wickets and recent trends favoring chasing teams.
Winner Prediction
India is predicted to win due to their superior squad depth, strong spin attack, and familiarity with conditions.
CricketPandith Match Prediction Package
Per Match Charges: 1000 Rs/Match
Monthly Package: 5000 Rs/Month (Unlimited Match)
All International/League Match Prediction Available
Download Our Cricket Pandith Android App
