India vs Australia in an ICC knockout match – you can’t get better entertainment than this! Both teams are now looking to secure a spot in the Champions Trophy final.
Both teams performed well in their respective groups. India coming into the semifinal after decimating every team in Group A and securing the top spot. Meanwhile, Australia finished second in Group B, having won two matches, with one being abandoned. Since South Africa won their last outing against England, they claimed the top spot. However, none of that really matters now, what matters is how each team performs in the semifinals.
As IND vs AUS semifinal 1 is coming, the big question is how the Dubai surface will behave. Reports suggest that a fresh pitch will be used, but the usual Dubai trends indicate otherwise. Let’s take a look at the IND vs AUS pitch report.
IND vs AUS Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal pitch report
Winning the toss and batting first is the usual strategy for teams in high-pressure matches. However, in Dubai, things get tricky, as bowling first and chasing the target often proves to be the better option. The records also support this, showing that batting second has generally been more successful.
Although India defied the odds by defending a total and restricting the Blackcaps in their last game, spin played a crucial role in that victory. We can expect a similar challenge again, as the Dubai International Stadium surface is likely to be slow and favour spinners, especially in the middle overs. Therefore, winning the toss and bowling first could be a smart choice, given that chasing has been advantageous in recent matches.
Dubai International Stadium ODI stats
| STATS – ODI | Numbers |
| Total matches | 61 |
| Matches won batting first | 23 |
| Matches won bowling first | 36 |
| Average 1st innings score | 219 |
| Average 2nd innings score | 193 |
| Highest total recorded | 355/5 (50 Ovs) – ENG vs PAK |
| Lowest total recorded | 91/10 (31.1 Ovs) – NAM vs UAE |
| Highest score chased | 287/8 (49.4 Ovs) – SL vs PAK |
| Lowest score defended | 168/10 (46.3 Ovs) – UAE vs NEP |
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