Pat Cummins won’t be present in Dubai on Tuesday, but his words from November 18, 2023, will resonate in spirit. While the players themselves might not be directly addressing them, viewers and fans globally are bound to reflect on the significance of those words and the themes they embody.
Historical Context: Indo-Australian ICC Rivalry
Since India’s quarter-final triumph at the 2011 World Cup, their ICC ODI tournament record against Australia stands at two wins and two losses. These victories came in round-robin matches during the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, while the defeats occurred in the 2015 semi-finals and the 2023 final. India’s dominance in the 2023 World Cup highlighted their brilliance, but Australia, excellent and unrelenting, managed to outplay India when it mattered most. This was a monumental upset, considering India’s exceptional run throughout the tournament where they appeared almost unbeatable. If ever cricket mirrored a monumental upset akin to the Maracana tragedy of 1950 in football—when Brazil suffered a shocking defeat to Uruguay in the World Cup final—it was this.
For this Champions Trophy semi-final, India and Australia will face off once again, both fielding lineups that differ from their famed World Cup final clash. Australia enters with a weakened pace attack, creating a significant gap between the teams. However, in a one-off game, individual brilliance can easily tip the scales. For India, Travis Head’s ability to deliver match-winning performances, as exemplified by his crucial century in the 2022 ODI series against England, stands as a significant concern. Additionally, Australia’s middle-order stability and the leg-spin prowess of Adam Zampa, who claimed 4 wickets against South Africa in the T20 World Cup, further intensified the challenge for the Indian side.
Questions Hanging Over India’s Stars
For India, this semi-final carries layers of significance beyond the title race. Virat Kohli, who recently completed his 300th ODI, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja all represent a generation that’s nearing its conclusion in ODIs. With their T20 retirements following the 2022 World Cup victory, the greater question remains: will they aim for the 2027 ODI World Cup, or is this Champions Trophy their swansong? For this trio, legacy isn’t just about individual accolades; it’s defined by the indelible mark they leave on Indian cricket and their ability to rise against formidable rivals like Australia. Australia, known for their relentless consistency, psychological edge, and enviable depth in both batting and bowling, has historically been a thorn in India’s side. Their mental toughness, coupled with a knack for thriving under pressure, has often tested India in high-stakes matches. Throughout their careers, clashes against the Australian side have carried monumental stakes, shaping the narrative of Indian cricket’s modern era. Their hunger for silverware remains palpable, as they aim to add one last ODI trophy to their illustrious resumes. For the current and supremely talented Indian team, success in the Champions Trophy has become a matter of both legacy and overcoming this psychological barrier posed by an Australian side that has consistently proven to be their hurdle.
Spotlight: Glenn Maxwell vs Rohit Sharma
Glenn Maxwell’s unique credentials against spin might heavily impact this game. He boasts the highest strike rate (141.49) against spin since 2022 but also has the lowest average (37.81) among prolific batters in this context. This intriguing contrast highlights Maxwell’s ability to dominate spin with aggressive scoring but also suggests a vulnerability to pressure and dismissal. Against India’s arsenal of three, possibly four, spinners, how effectively Maxwell balances these factors could sway the outcome. With the ball, his off-spin famously dismissed Rohit Sharma in the 2015 World Cup semifinal—a pivotal moment that illustrated Maxwell’s knack for delivering under pressure. Rohit, on the other hand, represents India’s hopes at the top of the order. While he played a brilliant century against England recently, consistency in high-stakes matches remains a question. With India looking to secure a dominant start, they would hope for Rohit to rise to the occasion and deliver another commanding knock.
Team News
For Australia, Cooper Connolly replaces the injured Matt Short. Connolly’s spin-bowling all-rounder skills seem suited to Dubai’s likely conditions. His inclusion also leaves management deciding on their opening combination. Regular keeper-batter Josh Inglis appears the most probable candidate. Additionally, Australia might lean towards including spinner Tanveer Sangha if conditions dictate.
Probable XI for Australia:
- Travis Head
- Josh Inglis (wk)
- Steven Smith (capt)
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Cooper Connolly
- Alex Carey
- Glenn Maxwell
- Ben Dwarshuis
- Nathan Ellis
- Spencer Johnson
- Adam Zampa
India, meanwhile, faces selection dilemmas, particularly about their spin combination based on the Dubai surface’s nature. Varun Chakravarthy’s outstanding five-wicket haul against New Zealand has bolstered his chances of inclusion.
Probable XI for India:
- Rohit Sharma (capt)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- Axar Patel
- KL Rahul (wk)
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Shami
- Varun Chakravarthy
Pitch and Conditions
Dubai’s pitches have demonstrated a tendency to slow down as matches progress. Spinners thrive here, averaging 42.22 in the first innings at 4.81 runs per over but improving to 24.76 at 4.18 in the second innings. Dew isn’t expected to play a significant role, making batting first a compelling option for whoever wins the toss. The weather is predicted to be sunny with temperatures peaking at 29°C.
Stats and Trivia
- Since 2010, India’s win-loss record against all ODI opponents is positive, except against Australia, with both teams tied at 23 wins each.
- India leads 2-1 in Champions Trophy meetings against Australia but hasn’t faced them in the tournament since a rain-impacted no-result in 2009.
- Australia has experienced six abandoned or washed-out games in their last 13 Champions Trophy fixtures.
- India’s toss-losing streak stands at 13, with Rohit Sharma captaining 10 of those matches.
- Glenn Maxwell is within 17 runs of reaching 4000 ODI runs, while KL Rahul needs 33 to complete 3000 runs.
- Australia’s three main seamers – Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, and Spencer Johnson – have a combined two ODI appearances against India.
India and Australia prepare to rekindle their storied rivalry, with legacy and a shot at glory hanging in the balance.
