Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey

After India’s win over New Zealand on Sunday, Australia are confirmed to play against Rohit Sharma’s team in the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT) semi-final in Dubai.

Conditions in the UAE have been vastly different to those in Pakistan. Australia played both their games in Lahore in mostly batting-friendly conditions. Now, they will embark on the Dubai challenge, where the surfaces have taken more turn as the tournament has progressed.

This may shape Australia’s thinking in terms of the bowling attack. Also, Matt Short is ruled out with a quad injury, so who replaces him at the top is another key question for the Australians to answer.

Australia predicted XI for the semi-final against India in Dubai

1. Travis Head, 2. Jake Fraser-McGurk, 3. Steve Smith (c), 4. Marnus Labuschagne, 5. Josh Inglis (wk), 6. Alex Carey, 7. Glenn Maxwell, 8. Ben Dwarshuis, 9. Nathan Ellis, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Spencer Johnson

Matt Short’s injury leaves a hole in both the opening position and bowling attack. Australia have the option of reshuffling their batting order or taking a gamble on the out-of-form Jake Fraser-McGurk in the hope he produces a scintillating performance.

According to cricket.com.au, Australia are strongly considering Fraser-McGurk to open alongside Head as opposed to having Josh Inglis open. The thinking here is Fraser-McGurk is likely to produce more against the new balls compared to Aaron Hardie or Cooper Connolly in the middle order. Also, Inglis’ efficiency against spin will be crucial against India’s four-pronged spin attack featuring Varun Chakravarthy, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.

ALSO READ: Do India really have “home advantage” in Dubai?

Another decision for Australia is the make up of the bowling attack. Short’s absence leaves them short a bowler, so there is the option of playing specialist legspinner Tanveer Sangha on a turning Dubai track.

However, Spencer Johnson’s ability to swing the new ball could provide Australia with wicket-taking opportunities in the powerplay. Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis have both held their own with their variations so far in this Champions Trophy. Also, Glenn Maxwell, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head can be called on to offer spin in support of Adam Zampa.

Australia can create more chances on Dubai pitch – Adam Zampa

No matter which option Australia choose, they face a tall order in knocking off in-form India in Dubai. Batting first could be the way to go on a sluggish pitch, but whether Australia have the bowling depth to defend a total remains to be seen. Conversely, whether Australia have it in them to chase against India’s spinners is a big challenge.

However, if there is one thing we know about Australia, it is they’ll tackle any challenge head on. Steve Smith, Josh Inglis and Alex Carey in particular are all fine players of spin when they get going, and Smith as captain has shown how well he can navigate around an inexperienced bowling attack so far in this tournament.

“The wickets that we’ve had in Lahore, creating wickets through the middle up front can be quite tough,” said Adam Zampa to cricket.com.au in Dubai.

“(Playing in Dubai) changes it a little bit. Potentially a slower, lower wicket, so there might be an opportunity to create a few more chances.”

The winner of this semi-final will play either South Africa and New Zealand, who play their match on Wednesday in Lahore.