IND vs AUS Dream11 Prediction [Source: @anuradhatanwar1, @Mussskey/x.com]
The business end of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is here and it doesn’t get bigger than India vs Australia in a knockout game. The first semi-final is set to take place at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday, March 4, at 2:30 PM IST.
India has been an absolute force to be reckoned with as they won all three group stage matches convincingly. Their Champions Trophy campaign kicked off with comprehensive victories over Bangladesh and Pakistan followed by a 44-run win over New Zealand.
Shreyas Iyer’s fighting 79-run knock and Varun Chakravarthy’s fifer were the standout performances in that game that set up India's semifinal spot vs Aussies in style.
On the other hand, Australia had a stop-start journey in Group B. Two of their matches were washed out due to rain and their only completed game resulted in a crucial win over England, securing them second place in the group.
The Men in Yellow have had an upper hand against Rohit Sharma's men when it comes to ICC knockouts and they will aim to assert their dominance.
Top 3 Captain And Vice-Captain Choices For IND vs AUS
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium has been tricky for batters. The pitch favours spinners while pacers can exploit early swing. Batters will need to get their eye in and play calculated cricket to put up big scores. With an average first-innings total in the 220s, anything beyond 250 could be match-winning. Teams prefer chasing here so expect the toss-winning captain to opt for fielding first.
3. Varun Chakravarthy
Why Will Varun Chakravarthy Be A Good Choice As The Captain Or Vice-Captain For IND vs AUS?
Varun Chakravarthy made a dream return to ODIs in India's last game after he replaced Harshit Rana and created an instant impact. He left the New Zealand batters clueless with his mystery spin and snagged a five-wicket haul in Dubai.
With the semi-final being played at the same venue, he will once again be in the thick of things. His variations are tough to pick and Australia’s aggressive batters could struggle against his deceptive turn.
If India bowls first, he could be an absolute game-changer, making him an excellent captain or vice-captain pick for fantasy teams.
2. Travis Head
Why Will Travis Head Be A Good Choice As The Captain Or Vice-Captain For IND vs AUS?
You can’t talk about India vs Australia in ICC knockouts without bringing up the one man who has been India’s worst nightmare: Travis Head. If there’s one name that sends shivers down the spine of Indian fans in big ICC finals, it’s him.
The southpaw has already tormented India twice on the biggest stage: first with a 163-run masterclass in the 2023 World Test Championship final and then again with a 137-run blitz in the 2023 ODI World Cup final.
Head is a big-match player, plain and simple. When the stakes are high, he finds a way to deliver. He can take on both pace and spin with ease which makes him a nightmare to bowl to. If Australia needs a hero in the semi-final, he is the one who could rise to the occasion again.
His aggressive batting style at the top make him a perfect captain or vice-captain choice for fantasy teams. If he gets going, India could be in for a long, painful evening.
1. Virat Kohli
Why Will Virat Kohli Be A Good Choice As The Captain Or Vice-Captain For IND vs AUS?
Big matches call for big players, and Virat Kohli was born for these moments. If there’s one batter you’d bet your life on in a high-stakes ICC game, it’s him. He has scored the most runs in ICC knockouts: 939 at an average of 52.16. No one soaks up the tension and delivers under the spotlight like Kohli.
Dubai isn’t the easiest place to bat, especially for power-hitters who rely on brute force. But that’s exactly why Kohli stands out. He doesn’t depend on muscle, he relies on timing, placement and patience which makes him a nightmare for bowlers on slow surfaces like Dubai
While he failed in the last match, thanks to a stunning catch by Glenn Phillips, you can bet he’ll be itching to set the record straight. Kohli thrives on challenges, and there’s no bigger stage than a semi-final against Australia which makes him an ideal captain or vice-captain choice. If India is to reach the Champions Trophy final, you can bet Kohli will have a massive role to play.