Champions Trophy semi-final: India lose their 14th successive toss (ODIs)
What's the story
The much-awaited first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be played today, pitting India against Australia at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
This clash is of special importance to India as they look to avenge their defeat to Australia in the final of the 2023 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Australian skipper Steve Smith has won the toss and elected to bat.
With this, India have now lost 14 tosses in a row in ODI cricket.
Toss Troubles
India's toss woes continue in ODIs
This was the 14th consecutive time an Indian captain has lost the toss in ODIs. No other team has lost even 12 tosses on the bounce in the format.
Earlier in the tournament, India had equaled the Netherlands's record of losing 11 consecutive tosses.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has now lost 11 successive tosses in ODIs. Only former West Indies captain Brian Lara (12) has lost more back-to-back tosses.
Notably, Rohit equaled Netherlands's Peter Borren.
Toss drought
India's toss luck runs dry since 2023 World Cup final
The streak of India losing tosses started in the 2023 WC final against Australia.
India, under KL Rahul's leadership, then lost all three tosses in the away series against South Africa later that year.
Rohit lost three tosses in India's only ODI assignment in 2024, against Sri Lanka.
India lost all three tosses in the recent home series against England.
The streak continued in the ongoing CT where India have lost tosses against Bangladesh, Pakistan, New Zealand, and now Australia.
Path
Teams' journey to the semi-finals
India swept Group A, winning all three of their matches.
Their wins include a six-wicket win over Bangladesh, another six-wicket triumph over Pakistan, and a 44-run victory over New Zealand in their last group match.
Meanwhile, Australia finished second in Group B as two of their matches were canceled due to rain.
Despite the setback, they made it to the semi-finals after defeating England and no results against Afghanistan and South Africa.
Rivalry
Historical head-to-head record
In their cricketing history, India and Australia have played 151 ODIs, with Australia leading the pack with 84 wins as compared to India's 57.
Their last encounter was in the World Cup final in 2023 where Australia emerged victorious.
In terms of Champions Trophy matches, the two teams have met thrice before with India winning twice.
Match details
Pitch conditions and streaming details
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium is famous for its slow surface which tends to assist spinners.
In this tournament, no team has crossed the 250-run mark in their first three games at this venue.
The temperature during the match will hover around 30°C in the first half, falling to around 25°C after sunset.
The match be live televised on Star Sports Network while Jiostar will provide the live streaming (2:30pm IST).
Star performers
Key players to watch
For India, Shreyas Iyer is in sublime form with his last six ODI scores reading 78, 44, 59, 15, 56 and 79.
Shubman Gill also shines with four half-centuries in his last six outings, including two centuries.
Varun Chakravarthy and Mohammed Shami have picked five wickets each for India in this tournament.
For Australia, Josh Inglis made an unbeaten 120 off just 86 balls against England.
Alex Carey and Travis Head also own half-centuries in this tourney.
Changes
Connolly comes in for Short
All-rounder Cooper Connolly is playing his first game in the tourney.
He comes in the place of Matthew Short, who has been ruled out of the tournament due to an injury.
In another change, leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha has come in for pacer Spencer Johnson.
Meanwhile, India will continue with their four-man spin attack as they have named an unchanged XI.
XIs
Here are the playing XIs
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.
Australia (Playing XI): Cooper Connolly, Travis Head, Steven Smith (captain), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wicket-keeper), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Tanveer Sangha .