Gavaskar Explains Why India Would Rather Face Australia in Champions Trophy Semi-Final
📅 Updated: March 2, 2025
March 2, 2025: With India already securing a semi-final spot in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, all eyes are on their final group-stage clash against New Zealand on Sunday. This crucial match will determine whether India faces Australia or South Africa in the semi-finals.
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According to cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, India would prefer to take on Australia instead of South Africa, citing Australia’s weakened bowling attack due to the absence of key pacers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.
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🔍 The Semi-Final Scenario
👉 If India beats New Zealand 🏆 → They will face Australia in the semi-final on Tuesday in Dubai.
👉 If India loses to New Zealand ❌ → They will take on South Africa, setting up a T20 World Cup 2024 final rematch.
Regardless of the opponent, India’s semi-final will be played in Dubai on Tuesday, March 4.
📢 Gavaskar’s Take: Why Australia Over South Africa?
🔹 Australia’s bowling attack lacks experience without Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood.
🔹 India has played Australia more frequently and understands their strengths and weaknesses better.
🔹 South Africa has been dominant, topping Group B and showing strong form.
🔹 India’s last major ICC knockout match against South Africa was the T20 World Cup final in 2024, a tight contest that India barely won.
“Both teams are formidable. However, India might prefer Australia because their bowling is slightly inexperienced without Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood,” Gavaskar told India Today.
🏟️ India Playing Only in Dubai – Fair or Unfair?
📌 A major talking point has been India playing all their matches in Dubai, while other teams have traveled across Pakistan. Critics argue that this gives India an unfair advantage by reducing travel fatigue.
📢 New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips dismissed these concerns, stating:
“A tournament draw is what it is. We have a no-excuses mindset. India got their schedule, we got ours, and we’ll play the best cricket we can.”
🏏 Champions Trophy Semi-Final Line-Up So Far
✅ Qualified Teams:
1️⃣ India
2️⃣ New Zealand
3️⃣ Australia
4️⃣ South Africa
🔜 India’s semi-final opponent to be decided after the match vs New Zealand on Sunday.
📌 What’s Next?
🔹 March 3, 2025: Semi-final fixtures will be officially confirmed.
🔹 March 4, 2025: India plays in the first semi-final (opponent TBD).
🔹 March 5, 2025: Second semi-final.
🔹 March 9, 2025: ICC Champions Trophy Final!
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