Australia Wins Toss, Opts to Bat First in Semi-Final Against India

Dubai, UAE — Australia captain Steven Smith won the toss and elected to bat first in the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against India at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday.

This match marks the first meeting between the two teams in the One Day International format since the final of the 2023 World Cup, where Australia emerged victorious. India, however, has been in formidable form throughout this tournament, winning all three of their group stage matches.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma expressed confidence in his unchanged lineup, citing their strong performance against New Zealand in the final group match, particularly praising bowler Varun Chakravarthy’s five-wicket haul.

“I was prepared to do both. When you’re confused, it’s better to lose the toss. The pitch keeps changing its nature,” Sharma said. “You have to play good cricket, and that’s what we’ll try to do.”

Despite their well-rounded team, Australia is facing challenges due to the absence of key players such as Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. Nonetheless, they maintain a significant threat with Travis Head, who has a rich history of scoring against India in crucial matches.

Smith acknowledged the dry pitch conditions and anticipated the surface would assist spinners as the match progresses. “It should take turn. Very good side – India – and we like coming up against them,” Smith noted. “We are looking forward to it.”

India’s past performance in Champions Trophy semi-finals has been impressive, winning four out of five, with their only loss against West Indies 27 years ago. Ahead of the match, India’s four-pronged spin attack is expected to be a crucial factor on the sluggish pitch.

Statistically, India will enter the game with a stronger record in the ICC ODI tournaments, having won 57 of their 151 encounters against Australia, although Australia leads the head-to-head clashes significantly overall.

During the group stage, India defeated Bangladesh and Pakistan with notable performances from their batting lineup, putting pressure on the Australian bowlers with their varied spin options. Indian fans are hopeful that players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will find their groove in time for this high-stakes contest.

The match is shaping up to be a pivotal encounter, with both teams hunting for a place in the final against either South Africa or New Zealand. The atmosphere at the Dubai Stadium is electric as fans eagerly await the action to unfold.