Favourites India Enter Australia’s Territory in Semi-Final

India has surged ahead of Australia since the 2023 World Cup final, but with a place in the Champions Trophy final on the line, past records may hold little significance.

Pat Cummins’ Words Echo Ahead of the Clash

Although Pat Cummins won’t be in Dubai on Tuesday, his statement from November 18, 2023, will linger: “There’s nothing more satisfying than hearing a big crowd go silent.” While players may not be thinking about it, fans around the world will undoubtedly recall the broader theme it represents.

Since their 2011 World Cup quarter-final triumph, India and Australia have clashed four times in ICC ODI tournaments, splitting victories—two wins each. India’s victories came in the 2019 and 2023 World Cups’ round-robin stages, while Australia claimed the 2015 semi-final and the 2023 final.

Months have passed since the heartbreak of November 19, 2023, but Tuesday’s Champions Trophy semi-final presents a fresh battle. In the previous World Cup, India fielded an extraordinary team that dominated opponents like a battering ram—until they met an Australian squad that, despite not being superior, proved good enough to win a one-off final. It was a moment in cricketing history comparable to Maracanã 1950.

India vs. Australia: The Tournament So Far

In this tournament, the gap between India and Australia appears wider. Australia is missing its entire first-choice pace attack, and the conditions in Dubai further tilt the balance in India’s favor. However, in one-off contests, such gaps mean little. Australia still boasts match-winners, with Travis Head leading the charge at the top, a formidable middle order, and Adam Zampa’s leg-spin.

For India, underlying questions have begun surfacing. Virat Kohli has just played his 300th ODI—how many more will there be? What about Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja? All three retired from T20Is after India’s 2023 World Cup triumph. Do they have their sights on the 2027 ODI World Cup, or could this Champions Trophy be their final ICC event?

With three players who won the 2013 Champions Trophy and Kohli holding a 2011 World Cup medal, this generation has achieved plenty. However, they still seek the elusive silverware that their dominance in ODIs deserves. Australia has halted their dreams before—will they do so again?

Form Guide (Last Five Completed ODIs)

• Australia: WLLLL
• India: WWWWW

Key Players to Watch: Glenn Maxwell and Rohit Sharma

• Maxwell has the highest strike rate (141.49) against spin since 2022 among batters with 200+ ODI runs. However, he averages only 37.81, making him a high-risk, high-reward player.
• Rohit Sharma, despite doubts about his form, remains one of the most dangerous openers. He scored a crucial hundred against England recently but has yet to pass 41 in this tournament.

Team News

Australia has brought in Cooper Connolly for the injured Matt Short. Connolly, a left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder, is likely to play given Dubai’s conditions. If he features, Josh Inglis might open alongside Travis Head.

Probable Australia XI:

1. Travis Head
2. Josh Inglis (wk)
3. Steven Smith (capt)
4. Marnus Labuschagne
5. Cooper Connolly
6. Alex Carey
7. Glenn Maxwell
8. Ben Dwarshuis
9. Nathan Ellis
10. Spencer Johnson
11. Adam Zampa

India faces a spin dilemma following Varun Chakravarthy’s five-wicket haul against New Zealand. The pitch will influence their bowling combination.

Probable India XI:

1. Rohit Sharma (capt)
2. Shubman Gill
3. Virat Kohli
4. Shreyas Iyer
5. Axar Patel
6. KL Rahul (wk)
7. Hardik Pandya
8. Ravindra Jadeja
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Mohammed Shami
11. Varun Chakravarthy

Pitch and Conditions

Dubai’s pitches have slowed down over 100 overs. Spinners have averaged 42.22 in the first innings at an economy of 4.81, but in the second innings, they average 24.76 at 4.18 runs per over. With minimal dew, the toss-winning captain may opt to bat first.

Weather in Dubai is expected to be clear and sunny with a high of 29°C.

Stats and Trivia

• Since 2010, India’s only non-positive win-loss record in ODIs is against Australia (23-23).
• India has won two and lost one of four Champions Trophy meetings with Australia.
• India has lost 13 consecutive tosses, with Rohit captaining 10 of those.
• Glenn Maxwell is 17 runs away from 4000 ODI runs, while KL Rahul needs 33 for 3000.
• Australia has played seven completed Champions Trophy matches since 2009, with six others washed out or abandoned.

Quotes

• Rohit Sharma on Axar Patel’s role at No. 5: “We told him from the start of the England series that he’ll bat at No. 5, and he has improved tremendously. He showed his potential in the T20 World Cup final, and we know he can deliver.”
• Steven Smith on Australia’s travel plans: “It was ideal to come early and prepare. Had we waited for the result, we wouldn’t have had a chance to train in these conditions.”

As the two cricketing powerhouses prepare for yet another high-stakes encounter, the world watches to see if India can finally overcome their Australian hurdle—or if history will repeat itself.

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