India easily beat New Zealand in their last Champions Trophy 2025 group match in Dubai by 44 runs, to claim the top position in Group B with six points from three matches. This performance makes India’s encounter against Australia the first semifinal on Tuesday, March 4, in Dubai.
Most importantly, this will be the first ODI match between the two teams following India’s heartbreaking loss to Australia in the 2023 World Cup final, providing an added level of intensity to this high-pressure showdown. With the opportunity to put old wounds to rest, India will be keen to include their best playing XI against the current ODI World Cup titleholders.
Same Batting Lineup For India Against Australia
India is likely to retain their existing batting lineup. Rohit Sharma will again open the innings with Shubman Gill, both of whom will try to get their act together for the all-important knockout game. Virat Kohli, who was dismissed by a stunning Glenn Phillips catch in the last match, will look to carry the momentum he showed against Pakistan earlier in the competition.
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Shreyas Iyer, who has been in excellent form at No.4, will continue in place after a consecutive fifties in the tournament. Axar Patel is likely to stay at No.5, followed by KL Rahul, who will bat at No.6. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will fill up the lower order slots at No.7 and No.8, bringing depth to India’s team.
Varun Chakaravarthy And Mohammed Shami Stay
Varun Chakaravarthy, the replacement for Harshit Rana in the match against New Zealand, gave a match-winning display, taking a five-wicket haul on his Champions Trophy debut. Based on his contribution, the mystery spinner is likely to keep his place in the playing XI.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami found it difficult to get into his groove against New Zealand, and but still he is likely to retain his place. The Dubai surface being more spin-friendly, India might not drift from playing four first-choice spinners—Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy, similar to what they did against their last opponents.
With both teams looking for a spot in the final, India will be keen to get even for their 2023 World Cup disappointment and seal their position in the final showdown.
India’s Predicted Playing XI
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy
