Champions Trophy 2025 Semifinal – 1: India vs Australia – Epic Clash & Key Battles
India and Australia will face off in a thrilling semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The match is at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, March 4. Both teams enter this contest unbeaten, aiming to secure a spot in the final.
This is the first ODI match between India and Australia since the 2023 ODI World Cup final. In that game, Australia won their sixth title by beating India in Ahmedabad. With a spot in the Champions Trophy final at stake, expect a tough battle.
India’s Road to the Semifinals
India dominated the group stage, winning all three matches. Their latest triumph came against New Zealand, despite an early setback at 30/3 in the powerplay.
- Shreyas Iyer (79) and Axar Patel (42) led a crucial recovery.
- Hardik Pandya’s late surge pushed India to 249 all out.
- Matt Henry’s 5/42 troubled India but wasn’t enough.
- Varun Chakaravarthy (5/42) starred with the ball, restricting New Zealand.
Australia’s Path to the Knockouts
Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign was affected by rain, but they remained unbeaten:
- Defeated England in a record-breaking chase.
- Matches vs South Africa and Afghanistan were abandoned due to weather.
- Strong position vs Afghanistan before rain intervened.
Dubai International Cricket Stadium – ODI Stats & Pitch Report
As the tournament goes on, the Dubai pitch slows down. This makes stroke play tough.
- Chasing remains the preferred option.
- India’s spinners have dominated, proving effective in second innings.
Teams that win the toss can choose to bowl first. This is due to the surface being unpredictable.
| Matches Played | 61 |
|---|---|
| Matches Won Batting First | 23 |
| Matches Won Batting Second | 36 |
| Matches With No Result | 01 |
| Matches Tied | 01 |
| Average First Innings Score | 229 |
| Highest Team Total | 355 |
| Highest Total Successfully Chased | 285 |
Top player battles to watch out for in India vs Australia:
Virat Kohli vs Adam Zampa
A high-profile battle, with Kohli historically having the upper hand.
- Zampa has dismissed Kohli five times in ODIs.
- Kohli’s record vs Zampa: 264 runs at 52.80, SR 107.75.
Steve Smith vs Mohammed Shami
Both players hold the key for their respective teams in high-pressure games.
- Smith vs Shami in ODIs: 118 runs off 111 balls, dismissed four times.
- Average: 29.50, Strike Rate: 106.30.
Who Will Reach the Champions Trophy 2025 Final?
With both teams unbeaten, the India vs Australia semifinal promises to be a thriller. Australia wants to repeat their success from the 2023 World Cup final. Meanwhile, India is searching for redemption.