Champions Trophy: Australia chooses to bat first against unchanged India in the opening semi-final
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy, Australia has won the toss and elected to bat against an unchanged India at Dubai International Stadium. Australia has made two changes to their lineup, while India remains consistent, ready to face the challenge.
Key Takeaways
- Australia won the toss and will bat first.
- Two changes in the Australian lineup.
- India remains unchanged.
- Black armbands worn in memory of Padmakar Shivalkar.
- Both teams are prepared for a competitive match.
Dubai, March 4 (NationPress) Australia has won the toss and decided to bat first against India in the inaugural semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday.
Australia has made two modifications to their playing XI, with Cooper Connolly replacing Matt Short and Tanveer Sangha stepping in for Spencer Johnson.
"We'll have a bat. The pitch looks quite dry. The players have had a couple of practice sessions and are eager to go. It should spin. India is a very strong side. We made two changes: Connolly comes in for Short, and Sangha comes in for Johnson," stated Australia captain Steve Smith at the toss.
In contrast, India remains unchanged, and captain Rohit Sharma noted that his team is ready for both batting and bowling.
"I was prepared to do either. When uncertain, it’s often best to lose the toss. The nature of the pitch can vary. We need to play good cricket. We have performed well in all three matches and aim to continue that. It's going to be a challenge. We are maintaining the same lineup. As we bowl first, we must bowl effectively and limit their score," he remarked.
The Indian team is wearing black armbands during the match to honor the late Padmakar Shivalkar, who passed away on Monday. The legendary left-arm spinner was a cornerstone of Indian domestic cricket, celebrated for his unmatched skill and commitment to the sport.
Playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.
Australia: Cooper Connolly, Travis Head, Steven Smith(c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis(w), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Tanveer Sangha.
