India vs Australia: Clash of titans in Champions Trophy semifinal today

KATHMANDU: The first semifinal of the Champions Trophy will witness a high-stakes encounter between two cricketing powerhouses, India and Australia.

The match is set to begin at 2:45 PM NST in Dubai.

Another thrilling knockout battle is on the cards, with expectations of high-intensity cricket and dramatic twists.

Australia, known for delivering in big matches, aims to reaffirm its dominance despite missing key players.

Rain affected two of their three group-stage matches, but they secured a comfortable win against Afghanistan to book their semifinal spot.

India, on the other hand, stormed into the semifinals undefeated. Having already played three matches in Dubai, they hold a slight edge in adapting to the conditions.

The team is likely to deploy four frontline spinners, posing a significant challenge to the Australian batting lineup. Kuldeep Yadav remains India’s key spinner, having delivered stellar performances in two of the three group-stage games.

For Australia, spinners will also play a crucial role on the Dubai surface. A key selection debate revolves around whether they will opt for three fast bowlers or include an additional spinner. Regardless, leg-spinner Adam Zampa is expected to complete his full quota of 10 overs.

Since 2010, India and Australia have been evenly matched in ODIs, each winning 23 games against the other. In Champions Trophy history, they have met four times, with India securing two wins, one loss, and one no result.

Interestingly, India has lost the toss in its last 13 ODIs—10 under Rohit Sharma and three under KL Rahul.

On the individual milestone front, Glenn Maxwell needs 17 more runs to reach 4,000 ODI runs, while KL Rahul is 33 runs away from completing 3,000 ODI runs.

The match also serves as a rematch of the 2023 ODI World Cup final, where Australia defeated India on their home turf. Will India take revenge, or will Australia dominate once again? A thrilling contest awaits.