Champions Trophy: India can face these teams in semi-finals
What's the story
India are all set to embark on their 2025 Champions Trophy journey, hoping to win back-to-back ICC titles. The Rohit Sharma-led side will play on a familiar turf in Dubai instead of Pakistan under the hybrid model. Team India will bank on its recent 3-0 series win over England at home. Here are the teams India can face in the Chamions Trophy semi-finals.
Draw
India placed in Group B alongside these teams
India are placed in Group B alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. Meanwhile, Group A features Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan. The top-two sides from each group will proceed to the semi-finals. Group A toppers and the second-placed Group B side will clash in the first semi-final, whereas the second semi-final will see Group B toppers and second-placed Group A side square off.
Australia
Australia can challenge India in semis
Australia are one of the top contenders to reach the 2025 Champions Trophy knockouts. Although Australia are devoid of star players Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, their hunger to win tops it all. If India the reach the semis, they could meet Australia, who defeated them in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final. It could be a rematch of the giants.
South Africa
South Africa eye elusive ICC trophy
South Africa have also evolved into a solid unit in ODI cricket of late. The Proteas could not make the tri-series final in Pakistan, also involving New Zealand, but they made a statement after registering two 300-plus totals. The Temba Bavuma-led side has star-studded batting and bowling line-ups. They will be raring to claim an elusive ICC trophy.
Information
India's squad for Champions Trophy
India's squad for Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja.