Team India has made an emphatic entry into the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With convincing six-wicket victories over Bangladesh and Pakistan, the Men in Blue secured their place in the knockout stage. However, their final group-stage clash against New Zealand will determine their standing in Group A and, consequently, their semi-final opponent. If India lose, they would face South Africa. On the flip side, if the Rohit Sharma and company turn up as victors, we will have an India vs Australia semifinal at Champions Trophy.
India should face Australia & not South Africa?
Legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on India’s potential semi-final opponents. The former captain believes that India might favor a showdown with Australia over South Africa. Speaking to India Today, he pointed out Australia’s weakened pace attack as a potential advantage for the Indian batters.
“Both teams are formidable teams, make no mistake. There’s no such team that India will say, because now they know, they’ve come to the knockout stages. Here it’s now make or break, so I don’t think they would prefer to have any team. Maybe Australia because they’ve played Australia, they know Australia little bit better than South Africa whom they last played in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. So maybe they might prefer Australia because Australia are without their main bowlers. There’s no Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood so maybe they would want to play them,” Gavaskar told India today.
Australia not favourites this time
Australia had a dramatic start to their campaign, chasing down a record-breaking 352 against England, thanks to a sensational century by Josh Inglis (120 off 86). However, their next two group-stage matches against South Africa and Afghanistan were washed out. Despite playing just one full match, the Steve Smith-led squad managed to advance to the semi-finals with four points.
Their pace bowlers, in the absence of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood have not been at their best. Spencer Johnson bowled quite well against Afghanistan but had an off show against England. Ben Dwarshuis, meanwhile, has taken 6 wickets in the tournament but has leaked runs. Their main weapon has been their batting. Travis Head hit his straps before rain washed out the match against the Afghans, against whom he hammered a quick-fire 40-ball 59.
South Africa: A bigger threat?
While Australia has shown vulnerabilities, South Africa remain a formidable force. The Proteas’ recent T20 World Cup final clash against India in 2024 is still fresh in memory. Their pace attack and aggressive top order could pose a greater challenge in the semi-finals. Marco Jansen wreaked havoc against England, where South Africa scripted an easy win to stroll towards the semis.
