The last time India clashed with Australia in an ODI was the 2023 World Cup final, a match that ended in heartbreak for millions of Indian fans. Australia’s dual mission of winning the title and silencing the massive Ahmedabad crowd was accomplished. Now, as the two teams meet again in another ICC knockout match, India, led by Rohit Sharma, will be eager to settle the score.

However, the Australian team of 2023 differs significantly from the squad taking the field in 2025. Key figures like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, once part of a formidable new-ball attack, are absent, leaving the Australian pace department without its usual edge. India, too, is missing its spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, but the team has grown stronger with several match-winners in their ranks.

A major talking point for India is the rise of Varun Chakravarthy. The mystery spinner, who played a crucial role in India’s win against New Zealand, has given the team management a welcome selection headache. He joins a formidable spin unit comprising Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, who is a match-winner in his own right. Given that the Dubai International Cricket Stadium pitch is expected to assist spinners, India’s bowling attack seems well-equipped to dominate.

Speaking ahead of the semifinal, Rohit Sharma emphasized the importance of maintaining their winning mindset. “It’s a great opposition to play against. All we have to do is focus on what we’ve been working on in the last three games. Understanding the opposition is important, but our main focus remains on our own strengths,” he said.

One of India’s biggest advantages is the form of its middle order. Even without major contributions from the top three, India managed to post a strong total against New Zealand. Shreyas Iyer’s consistent performances, along with valuable contributions from Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya, bolster India’s batting lineup heading into the high-stakes encounter.

Despite India’s strengths, a few concerns remain. Virat Kohli’s battle against Adam Zampa will be crucial, as the Australian leg-spinner has dismissed him five times, more than any other Indian batsman. Additionally, Rohit Sharma’s recent struggles against left-arm pacers could pose a challenge, especially with Australia fielding Spencer Johnson and Ben Dwarshuis. Rohit’s aggressive approach at the start of an innings, sometimes resembling a T20 mindset, will be something to watch.

On the Australian side, Travis Head remains a major threat. His stellar record against India, including a match-winning century in the 2023 final, makes him a key player for Australia. However, the absence of Cummins and Starc, as well as the lack of a second specialist spinner apart from Zampa, could make things difficult for the Aussies.

Match Details:

• Date & Time: March 4, 1:00 PM Local, 2:30 PM IST
• Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium

India has had poor luck with the toss, losing 13 in a row, but Rohit Sharma is unlikely to be overly concerned. The team is familiar with the conditions and is well-prepared to bat or bowl first. For Australian captain Steve Smith, however, the decision at the toss could be trickier.

Team News:

India:
No major changes are expected in the playing XI, although Rohit left the door open for Varun Chakravarthy’s inclusion, depending on pitch conditions. There is also a slim chance of Arshdeep Singh replacing Mohammed Shami, who has yet to make a significant impact in the tournament.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy

Australia:
With Matthew Short ruled out, Jake Fraser-McGurk is a likely replacement at the top of the order, though Short’s off-spin will be missed. Conditions in Dubai might prompt Australia to consider Cooper Connolly, while Tanveer Sangha remains an outside option in place of a pacer.

Probable XI: Travis Head, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson

Did You Know?

• Australia leads the ODI head-to-head against India 84-57 and holds a 10-7 advantage in ICC ODI tournaments. However, since 2020, both teams are evenly matched at 7-7.
• India’s only loss in the 2023 World Cup came in the final when their spinners failed to take a single wicket (Kuldeep and Jadeja combined for 0/99 in 20 overs).
• Rohit Sharma is the only batsman with 1000+ runs in the first 10 overs of ODIs since 2023. Among players with at least 100 runs in this phase, only Travis Head has a better strike rate (130.48).

What They Said:
“In the semifinal, we don’t know which pitch we will get. Whatever the conditions, we have to adapt and play accordingly. This is not our home ground; it’s Dubai, and we haven’t played many matches here. It’s new for us too.” – Rohit Sharma

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