IND vs AUS SF-1: As India and Australia gear up for a crucial match in the Champions Trophy 2025, let’s take a look at the key players from both teams and their potential impact on today’s game.
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill’s performance has been phenomenal in the Champions Trophy 2025. His best performance came against Bangladesh. Against Australia, Gill amassed 552 runs with an average of 46.00 and 2 centuries.
Strength
Loves playing attacking shots (70.4% boundary percentage) and performs well against pace.
Weakness
Recently, Gill was dismissed by LBW against seam against New Zealand which has exposed his stance of walking across the stumps.
X-Factor
If Gill gets a good start, he can convert it into a big score, giving India the momentum.
Virat Kohli
Star Indian batter, Virat Kohli is one of the legends in the modern-day cricket. In the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025, Kohli has been in top notch apart from the game against New Zealand. Kohli had a great night against arch-rivals Pakistan, where he scored a match-winning hundred. Against Australia, he scored 2,012 runs with an average of 50.30 and 9 centuries.
Strength
Performs well in big matches as his average in knockout is 54.83.
Weakness
Kohli can struggle early against pace especially from the off-stumps and his weakness against leg-spinners.
X-Factor
If Kohli is in form, he can take on any bowling attack and accelerate in the middle overs.
Varun Chakravarthy
Varun Chakaravarthy’s inclusion in the last match against New Zealand has provided a major boost to Team India ahead of mega clash against Australia. His 5/42 vs New Zealand was brilliant.
Strength
Turns the ball 1.8°, deadly on spin-friendly Dubai pitches.
Weakness
Hasn’t played much against Australia’s middle order.
X-Factor
His mystery spin can trouble even the best batsmen if he finds the right length early.
Rohit Sharma
As a captain of the Indian Team, Rohit has been a calm and steadying influence on the team, leading by example. His aggressive intent at the top of the order has set the tone for India in several games, though he has occasionally been prone to rash dismissals, such as his pull-shot dismissal against New Zealand.
Against Australia, Hitman amassed 2,585 runs with an average of 47.00 with 8 centuries.
Strength
Plays aggressive shots in powerplay (73.2% attacking shots).
Weakness
Rash pull shots have been his weakness which might hamper his confidence.
X-Factor
If he gets going, his ability to hit sixes effortlessly can change the game’s momentum.
Kuldeep Yadav
The last on this list is Kuldeep Yadav. He has been a crucial part of India’s spin attack in the tournament. Against Australia he scalped 27 wickets with an average of 27.70.
Strength
2.1° turn, controls middle overs which is a sheer weapon.
Weakness
Struggled against Travis Head (137 in 2023 WC final).
X-Factor
If he gets Head out early, India will gain a significant advantage in restricting Australia’s total.
