India vs Australia 1st Semi Final. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025

File: Indian and Aussie team players credit-ICC

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group stage is done and dusted, and now 4 teams Australia, South Africa, India, and New Zealand are gearing up for the knockout stage. The group stage has already produced some top-quality games. Fans are excited for the knockout stage also, as the top 4 teams will compete there for the ultimate glory. We are expecting some cracker of the games in the Semifinals.

Significance of the Match

 

In the 1st Semifinal, Mighty Aussies will face the current T20 world Champions, India, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This match will be a day and night game, and it will be played on 4th March 2025. This is the 1st Knockout match, and it holds a significant importance for both teams. India and Australia have quality players, and both teams have produced epic encounters in the history. We are expecting an even contest in the vital game. In this article, we will discuss Squads and Key Players, Head to Head, Road to the Knockouts, Weather and Conditions, and Match Predictions.

Team News

Australia suffered another major blow just before the all-important knockout clash vs India as their opener, Mathew Short, picked up an injury and is out of the semifinal. So Jack Fraser Mcgurk is expected to replace him in the final playing 11. India is expected to field the same playing 11 that won a famous win against New Zealand yesterday. 

Head to Head

India and Australia have faced each other 151 times in ODI. Australia had the upper hand with 84 wins, whereas India got victory 51 times. Both the teams have faced each other 3 times in the ICC Champions Trophy events, where India won 2, whereas Australia won once. Their most recent encounter was in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 final in Ahmedabad, where Australia beat India to lift the ICC World Cup.

Road to the Knockouts

India is unbeaten in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, as they beat Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the group stage. The Indian team is in a fine momentum; they have a winning streak of 6 matches going into the semifinal. Australia has beaten England in their opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Unfortunately, their last two matches against South Africa and Afghanistan were washed out. 

    Photo: Rohit Sharma and M. Rizwan credit-ICC

Key Players

India

• Rohit Sharma

Indian Captain Rohit Sharma is one of the finest players in the white ball format. He has recently completed Eleven Thousand runs in ODI's. He is the only player in the history of ODI's to have three double hundreds to his name in this format. Indian Captain has been in decent touch recently, and he will be a key player for India to set a big total.

• Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is arguably one of the best batter in the history of the cricket. He has recently completed his 51st ODI ton against Pakistan. He has played many match-winning knocks against top opposition in crucial games. Aussies knows well he is a genuine match-winner. India will hope their premium batter will keep his fine batting form and go big in the all-important knock-out clash.

    Photo: Virat Kohli and Alex Carey credit-ICC

• Varun Chakravarthy

Indian Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy is in fine form with the ball. In the last game against New Zealand, he bowled beautifully and caused a lot of trouble to the batters, so he was handed a well-deserved Man of the Match award. As the conditions at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium favor spin, he will be the key factor for India again. 

Australia

• Travis Head

Travis Head is a big game player he has already played some high-quality knocks in the knockout matches of different ICC events. Everyone still remembers his epic knock in the final of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 final against India where he led the chase that was never going to be easy against a quality Indian bowling attack on a tricky surface. Australia would like their prime player to find his best touch in this contest.

    Photo: Travis Head credit-ICC

• Steve Smith

Steve Smith is one of the best players in the world right now. He is one of the Fab 4 players in the world who have been recognized as the best players across all formats over the last 10 years. Steve Smith is also leading the Australian team in the absence of  Pat Cummins so they would like him to lead from the front and bring his best form in this contest.

• Adam Zampa

As the wicket in Dubai is spin-friendly and dry, Adam Zampa will be crucial for his sides. Aussies will be hoping for him to provide them breakthroughs in the middle phase. He was the 2nd-highest wicket-taker in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 with 23 wickets, just behind Muhammad Shami.

Who will win this game?

Australia are without their 5 frontline players, including their Captain, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchel Starc, Marcus Stoinis, and Mitchel Marsh, so India, being in top form, will enter this contest as slight favorites, but Australia have a great history of winning knockout games in the ICC Events. So, they can't be written off in the knockouts. History will favor them, and they will try to knock out a strong Indian team as they did in the ICC ODI World Cup final of 2023.

    Photo: Pat Cummins and other Aussie players with ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 credit-ICC

So, what do you think which team will prevail this time? And who are you backing up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025? Let us know in the comments.