New Delhi: The semi-final clash of the Champions Trophy between India and Australia is set to take place on Tuesday in Dubai. Australia is confirmed to make one change in their playing XI, while Rohit Sharma faces a tough decision in selecting India’s playing XI against Australia. Let’s take a look at the probable lineups for both teams, along with the pitch report of the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the probability of each team winning this high-stakes encounter.

India’s Playing XI Selection Dilemma

Team India has played all their matches in Dubai. They won their first two matches while chasing and defended a total of 250 runs against New Zealand. In the last match, Rohit Sharma replaced Harshit Rana with Varun Chakravarthy as the fourth spinner. Varun delivered an outstanding performance, taking five wickets. Dropping him now would be a tough call for the skipper, especially when other spinners are also performing well.

Will Arshdeep Singh Replace Mohammed Shami?

Arshdeep Singh is a talented pacer and can pose a serious challenge to Travis Head. However, Mohammed Shami is an experienced bowler and has been a part of the playing XI since the first match. Making changes to a winning combination will be difficult for Rohit Sharma. If Shami is not fully fit, Arshdeep Singh could be given a chance in the semi-final. Notably, Shami was hit on his right shoulder during the New Zealand match, but he continued to bowl afterward.

India’s Probable Playing XI for the Semi-Final:

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.

Australia’s Playing XI Changes

Australia is expected to make one change in their playing XI for the semi-final. Opener Matthew Short is ruled out, and Jake Fraser-McGurk is likely to replace him in the lineup.

Australia’s Probable Playing XI Against India:

Jake Fraser-McGurk, Travis Head, Steve Smith (Captain), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (Wicketkeeper), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.

Pitch Report:

The first semi-final of the Champions Trophy will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The pitch here is expected to be challenging for the batters. It will be on the slower side, making middle-order scoring difficult. Teams should aim for an aggressive approach during the powerplay and then consolidate in the middle overs.

Spinners to Dominate in Dubai

Dubai’s pitch favors spinners more than fast bowlers, which is why Rohit Sharma is fielding four spinners. Winning the toss and opting to bowl first could be a wise decision, as chasing is relatively easier on this ground. The team batting first should aim for a score of around 270-290 to put pressure on the chasing side.

Who Will Win the India vs Australia Semi-Final?

In terms of winning probability, India has the upper hand. The Indian team has won all three matches played at this venue in this tournament, while Australia will be playing their first match here. Additionally, two of Australia’s matches were washed out due to rain, and they secured only one victory against England. Considering these factors, India has a 70% chance of winning, whereas Australia’s chances stand at 30%.