India vs Australia: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 – Men in Blue Look to Settle World Cup Score

With only four teams remaining in the 2025 Champions Trophy, the anticipation for the semifinals is at an all-time high. And what better way to start the knockout stage than with a blockbuster clash between India and Australia. The Men in Blue will be eager to put the ghosts of their heartbreaking 2023 World Cup final defeat behind them. But can they get past an Australian side battling injuries in tonight’s high-stakes semifinal?

India’s Champions Trophy campaign has been a unique one, with all their matches being played in Dubai. The reason? The BCCI refused to send the team to Pakistan due to security concerns and ongoing political tensions between the two nations. As a result, the ICC introduced a hybrid model, ensuring the Men in Blue played exclusively at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. And so far, India has made Dubai their fortress. Rohit Sharma and his team bulldozed through the group stage, dismantling Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand with ease. They’ve looked like a well-oiled machine, firing on all cylinders as they stormed into the semifinals. 

On the other hand, Australia’s journey has been far more dramatic. They kicked off their campaign with a record-breaking run chase, hunting down a mammoth 351 in just 47.3 overs – the highest chase in Champions Trophy history. But then, luck didn’t quite favor them, as their next two matches against Afghanistan and South Africa were washed out. Despite the setbacks, the Aussies edged through to the semis, thanks to Afghanistan managing only three points to their four. And now, here we are – India vs Australia in a high-stakes semifinal. A rematch of the 2023 World Cup final, where Australia crushed Indian hearts thanks to Travis Head’s stunning century.  

While India has been dominant in the tournament, some former and current cricketers believe they’ve had an unfair advantage by playing all their games at a single venue. Among them is former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who feels that this scheduling has actually increased the pressure on the Men in Blue. "India are in the unique position that they've played every game at the same venue, there is no grass in the square, it is dry. It suits India and I just think all the pressure is on them," Haddin said on the Willow Talk podcast. 

Haddin also pointed out that despite India’s strong form, Australia thrives in high-stakes tournament cricket and could turn the tables in this one-off knockout clash. "They've got it set up, they're playing great cricket, but it's a one-off shootout. Australia pride themselves on making sure their tournament play is spot-on, and this is one of those games. And I don't think there's any pressure on the Australians at all. They've (India) had it all their own way, and I can see – I don't know whether it's an upset – but I can see Australia beating India in these conditions. And I hope so, especially for where the tournament's been." 

With the semifinal just minutes away, the debate over India’s supposed advantage continues. But on the field, none of it will matter – the only thing that counts is who handles the pressure better when the stakes are at their highest.