India vs Australia: Aakash Chopra highlights key battles ahead of Champions Trophy semi-final | Cricket News

Steve Smith and Rohit Sharma

NEW DELHI: As India put together to face Australia within the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday, former cricketer Aakash Chopra has pinpointed three key battles that might resolve the high-stakes encounter.
India, unbeaten within the event after a commanding 44-run win over New Zealand, will look to avenge their 2023 World Cup remaining defeat to Australia. Despite lacking key gamers, the Australians have a historical past of rising to the event and stay a formidable opponent.
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Speaking on Star Sports, Chopra emphasised that spin would play a vital position. “India has four spinners. Against Australia’s batting, our spinners will weave a web of spin. The question is, how will their batters respond? Our strength is spin, theirs is batting. It is a heavyweight clash,” he mentioned.

The second main issue, in line with Chopra, is the efficiency of India’s greatest stars. “The focus might be on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. In big matches, the focus is always a little more on the big players. In the last match, both of them missed out against New Zealand, and this is a knockout game,” he famous.
However, Chopra reserved particular consideration for Australia’s explosive opener Travis Head, who performed a match-winning century within the 2023 World Cup remaining. “There was that magician, whose life was in a parrot — Australia’s life is in Travis Head. He should not give us a headache, he should not give us a heartache. I am very curious to see him walking back to the pavilion after getting out,” he quipped.
With each groups eyeing a spot within the remaining, India will hope their spin assault and star batters rise to the event, whereas Australia will financial institution on their preventing spirit and big-match pedigree.