NEW DELHI: As India prepare to face Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday, former cricketer Aakash Chopra has pinpointed three key battles that could decide the high-stakes encounter.
India, unbeaten in the tournament after a commanding 44-run win over New Zealand, will look to avenge their 2023 World Cup final defeat to Australia. Despite missing key players, the Australians have a history of rising to the occasion and remain a formidable opponent.
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Speaking on Star Sports, Chopra emphasised that spin would play a crucial role. “India has four spinners. Against Australia’s batting, our spinners will weave a web of spin. The question is, how will their batters respond? Our strength is spin, theirs is batting. It is a heavyweight clash,” he said.
The second major factor, according to Chopra, is the performance of India’s biggest stars. “The focus will be on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. In big matches, the focus is always a little more on the big players. In the last match, both of them missed out against New Zealand, and this is a knockout game,” he noted.
However, Chopra reserved special attention for Australia’s explosive opener Travis Head, who played a match-winning century in the 2023 World Cup final. “There was that magician, whose life was in a parrot — Australia’s life is in Travis Head. He should not give us a headache, he should not give us a heartache. I am very curious to see him walking back to the pavilion after getting out,” he quipped.
With both teams eyeing a spot in the final, India will hope their spin attack and star batters rise to the occasion, while Australia will bank on their fighting spirit and big-match pedigree.
