India’s remarkable journey in the Champions Trophy group stage came to a triumphant end with a resounding victory over New Zealand, thus securing a coveted spot in the semi-finals against Australia. The excitement is palpable as fans eagerly await the clash between these two cricketing powerhouses. Let’s dive into the details of this highly anticipated match, including the date, time, live broadcasting, and streaming information. We’ll also delve into the playing conditions at the Dubai International Stadium, the likely playing elevens for both teams, and a brief overview of their head-to-head record in One-Day Internationals (ODIs).
India’s campaign in the Champions Trophy 2025 began on a high note, with convincing wins over Bangladesh and Pakistan, both by a margin of six wickets. Their third match against New Zealand saw them emerge victorious by 44 runs, showcasing the team’s consistency and prowess. Notably, despite losing the toss in all three matches, Rohit Sharma’s team has managed to secure victories with ease, whether chasing or setting targets.
The first semi-final of the Champions Trophy is set to be an exhilarating encounter between India and Australia, with India topping their group and Australia finishing second in theirs. The match is scheduled to take place on March 4th, with the toss at 2:00 PM IST and the first ball being bowled at 2:30 PM IST. The Dubai International Cricket Stadium, which has been India’s home ground for all their matches in the tournament, will host this thrilling contest.
The pitch at the Dubai International Stadium is expected to be on the slower side, posing a challenge for batsmen to score runs quickly. The team with a stronger middle order is likely to have an upper hand, as the pitch may favor spinners over fast bowlers, given the conditions. The absence of dew is another factor that could influence the decision to chase or set a target.
As for the likely playing elevens, India might field a team consisting of Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy. On the other hand, Australia could line up with Steve Smith (Captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (Wicketkeeper), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarhuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, and Spencer Johnson.
Historically, Australia has had the edge over India in ODIs, with 84 wins out of 151 matches, while India has secured 57 victories, and 10 matches have ended without a result. This head-to-head record adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming semi-final.
For fans in India, the live broadcast of the semi-final match will be available on Star Sports and Sports 18 channels. Those looking to catch the action online can tune into JioCinema for live streaming, with the toss at 2:00 PM and the match commencing at 2:30 PM. As the stage is set for this epic clash, the anticipation builds, promising an unforgettable encounter between two of cricket’s giants.