Australia and India will face off in the knockout stages of an ICC tournament once again, in the Semi Final of the Champions Trophy. Everything is stacked in the Indians favour for Tuesday’s clash in Dubai, can the Aussies record another remarkable upset over India? We bring you our full betting preview below!
2025 ICC Champions Trophy Semi Final
Australia vs India Preview & Betting Tips
Dubai, Tuesday 4th March, 8:00pm AEDT
Australia
Predicted XI: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Travis Head, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
Australia’s final group game against Afghanistan, which was effectively a knockout game, was washed out with Australia en route to a comfortable victory. After restricting Afghanistan to 273, Australia were 1/109 inside of 13 overs when rain intervened. Travis Head (59* off 40) got Australia off to a flyer, while Matt Short (20 off 15) and Steve Smith (19* off 22) accompanied Head well.
Australia will be forced into at least one change after Matt Short was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with a quad injury. Cooper Connolly has been added to the squad, with the decision likely to come between Connolly or Jake Fraser-McGurk. Fraser-McGurk makes more sense as a like for like opening batsmen switch, however the spinning conditions in Dubai would likely suit Connolly more.
Australia’s inexperienced pace attack were magnificent with the ball, as Ben Dwarshiuis (3/47) and Spencer Johnson (2/49) controlled proceedings. Adam Zampa (2/48), Glenn Maxwell (1/28) and Matt Short (0/21) provided valuable economy and wickets through the middle overs. With Short out, it’s likely Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head will be required to bowl in spin friendly conditions.
India
Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
India’s spinners produced some brilliance as they combined for 9 wickets en route to a 44 run victory over New Zealand on Sunday. The win ensured India finished top of Group A with three wins from three games, the only team with a perfect record at the Champions Trophy.
Shreyas Iyer (79), Hardik Pandya (45), and Axar Patel (42) guided India to a winning score of 9/249 after they fell into trouble at 3/30. India’s four spinners combined for 9 wickets as Varun Chakaravarthy (5/42), Kuldeep Yadav (2/56), Axar Patel (1/36) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/36) tore through New Zealand, knocking the Blackcaps over for just 205.
India have had a wealth of advantages throughout the tournament, not having to travel away from Dubai, which has provided them a huge advantage from a logistical and conditions-based standpoint. Dubai has been beneficial for spinners with 16 of the 30 wickets India have taken in the 2025 Champions Trophy, taken by spinners. Chakaravarthy (6 wickets), Kuldeep (5 wickets), Mohammed Shami (5 wickets) and Axar Patel (4 wickets) all rank in the top eleven wicket takers at the tournament.
Match Prediction
Everything is set up for India to win this given not only the conditions, but Australia’s undermanned side. The Aussies have done a good job to get this far without their three front line pace bowlers in Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood, as well as all rounders Mitch Marsh and Marcus Stoinis. Although the batting has performed quite well in Pakistan, the prospect of facing four quality spinners in Dubai looms as a challenge this young side may not be capable of overcoming. You only have to go back to the one day series in Sri Lanka to see how difficult Australia will find these conditions.
India have four of the top eleven bowlers, and have three of the top seven run scorers at the tournament. Their depth is the best in the world, and they have players right through their eleven that can win the game off their own bat or with the ball. Australia have been brave over the last week, but India will be too strong and book their place in the Final.
India to Win
$1.53 (2 Units)
Prop Bet
Kuldeep Yadav has loved playing against Australia in ODI cricket, taking 31 wickets in 22 matches. Australia is Kuldeep’s second most prolific opposition, and has figures of 3/56, 2/48, 2/42 and 0/56 in his last four ODI’s against Australia. Kuldeep has enjoyed playing at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, taking 15 wickets in just 9 games at the venue.
Kuldeep Yadav – India Top Bowler
$4.40
