India and Australia clash in the semi-finals today, will this player be a challenge for Travis Head?
Team India’s journey so far in the Champions Trophy 2025 has been very good. The undefeated Team India will now face Australia in the semi-final match. Which is the biggest challenge. Australia was the team that broke India’s dream of lifting the trophy in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. In such a situation, today the Indian team has a very good chance to take revenge. It remains to be seen who the team includes in the team (IND vs AUS Playing 11) against Australia.
India and Australia clash in the semi-finals today (IND vs AUS)
In the group stage, the Indian team performed brilliantly by winning all three matches. Defeated Bangladesh in the first match, registered a thumping win against Pakistan in the second match and made it to the semi-finals. Reached the top of Group A by defeating New Zealand in the last league match. In all these matches, both India’s batting and bowling were amazing. In such a situation, if the team defeats Australia in the semi-finals today, then it will reach the final of the Champions Trophy.
Expecting tough competition from Australia
The good thing for the Indian team is that this time Australia does not have veteran bowlers like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. However, despite that, the team looks strong. By defeating England in the first match, Australia proved that the Australian team plays in a different rhythm in the ICC tournament. However, the remaining two matches were washed out due to rain. Travis Head played an innings of 59 runs in 40 balls against Afghanistan. Which is a matter of concern for the Indian team.
Will there be a change in the team?
India had decided to field four spinners and two fast bowlers against New Zealand. Which proved to be completely effective. This strategy was a masterstroke on the slow pitches of Dubai, because only spinners took nine wickets of New Zealand. Varun Chakraborty performed brilliantly by taking five wickets in his very first match. In such a situation, it is expected that India will also field four spinners in the semi-finals. The responsibility of fast bowling will be on the shoulders of Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya.
All eyes on Travis Head
If India has to win this match, then Travis Head will have to be sent to the pavilion as soon as possible. Head’s bat works well against India, especially in ICC tournaments. His brilliant innings in the finals of the 2023 World Test Championship and 2023 World Cup had given India a taste of defeat. This time the Indian bowlers, especially Mohammed Shami, will have to adopt a tough strategy against Head.
India is in great form at the moment but the pressure of the semi-finals is different. This is a great opportunity for Team India to improve the record against Australia and get closer to the trophy.
Probable playing-11 of India and Australia (IND vs AUS Playing 11)
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakraborty, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav.
Australia: Jack Fraser McGurgk, Travis Head, Steve Smith (captain), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.
