The first semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be played today between India and Australia. The match will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium at 2:30 PM IST. Under the hybrid model, India has played all its matches in Dubai, and Rohit Sharma’s team has dominated at this venue. India won all three of its league-stage matches, while Australia won one match in Pakistan, with two games washed out due to rain.
However, the challenge against Australia will be tough for India, as the team has not defeated Australia in an ICC knockout match since the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal.
IND vs AUS Pitch Report for Dubai International Stadium
The last three matches in Dubai during the Champions Trophy have seen spinners dominate the game. Spinners have been able to control the middle overs, although chasing teams have had slightly better conditions. In their final league match against New Zealand, Indian spinners took nine wickets, with Varun Chakravarthy leading the attack.
Expect spinners to play a crucial role in the semifinal as well. Chasing a score above 270 in Dubai is not easy, and although the venue is known for successful chases, the team winning the toss may prefer to bowl first.
Dubai International Cricket Stadium Records
- Total Matches Played: 61
- Matches Won Batting First: 23
- Matches Won Chasing: 36
- Highest Team Score: 355/5
- Lowest Team Score: 91
- Highest Successful Chase: 287/8
India Might Go With a ‘Spin Quartet’
India could once again opt for a four-spinner strategy in the semifinal. In their match against New Zealand, India fielded four spin-bowling options.
Skipper Rohit Sharma acknowledged this possibility, stating, “It looks like an exciting option, but we need to think about how to fit four spinners into the playing XI. We are aware of the conditions here, and we know what will work and what won’t.” However, he did not confirm whether India would go ahead with this plan against Australia.
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IND vs AUS Head-to-Head in ODIs
India and Australia have played 151 ODI matches against each other.
- Australia: 84 wins
- India: 57 wins
- No Result: 10 matches
However, in the Champions Trophy, India has defeated Australia twice:
- 1998 (Dhaka): India won by 44 runs
- 2000 (Nairobi): India won by 20 runs
This highly anticipated semifinal clash in Dubai promises to be a thrilling encounter as India aims to break its ICC knockout jinx against Australia and move one step closer to the Champions Trophy title.
