In the ICC Champions Trophy, India is all set to face Australia in the first semifinal of the tournament in Dubai. The two teams are considered the heavyweights of ODI cricket, vying for the prestigious trophy. India and Australia share a great rivalry, including some really good contests, including the 2023 ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup 2024 and WTC Final 2023. Now it will be interesting to see how these two teams will make a strategic plan to face each other at another ICC tournament, the Champions Trophy. India is always cautious of Australia over the years, and so is the other side. Let’s look at the three batters who can be a threat for the team India in the semifinals.
Travis Head
The destroyer of the blue jersey, Travis Head, has emerged as the biggest threat for Team India in the last two years, be it Test or ODI, The player has given nightmares to the team over the last two years. Since 2022, he is the top batter to score the most runs against India. He has scored a century against India at several big occasions, including WTC final in 2023, ODI World Cup final in 2023 and the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy. It would be interesting to see how the Indian attack will find a way to get him out in the Champions Trophy semis.
Steve Smith
Steve Smith could also play as an X factor against India in the Champions Trophy semifinal. Smith is a veteran, and he knows pitch well. The surface is expected to favour spin just like it did during the India vs New Zealand clash. And Steve Smith understands spin really well. After England, Smith has played the most number of ODIs against India. In the 25 innings against the men in blue, the batter has scored 5 centuries and 6 half centuries. Recently, in the BGT, he has shown remarkable form as he scored 319 runs in 9 innings, which was the third highest in the series.
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Glenn Maxwell
When it comes to modern-day cricket of Australia, one can’t deny the contribution Glenn Maxwell has made in it. Maxwell has always been unpredictable for Australia. Maxwell plays spin well and understands the Indian team. In his career, he has played the most number of ODIs against India. In his 31 innings, he has scored 6 half centuries against the Indian side. He’s mostly an X-Factor who has clutched for the teams on several occasions.
