Dubai, UAE – In a highly anticipated rematch of the 2023 ODI World Cup final, India's captain Rohit Sharma has cautioned his team to brace for a fierce battle against Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-final. The clash, set to take place in Dubai on Tuesday, will see India, fresh off a dominant victory against New Zealand, locking horns with an Australian side known for its resilience in crucial matches.

India's journey to the semi-finals has been impressive, securing an unbeaten run in Group A with a resounding 44-run win over New Zealand on Sunday. This victory not only solidified their position at the top of the group but also set the stage for a thrilling encounter against Australia, as both teams vie for a coveted spot in the final of the eight-nation tournament.

Australia's path to the semi-finals has been less straightforward. After a convincing five-wicket victory over arch-rivals England in their opening match, their subsequent games were abandoned due to persistent rain. This limited time in the middle could prove to be a disadvantage as they head into the knockout stage.

Adding to their challenges, the Australian squad is missing several key players due to injuries and personal reasons. Fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are sidelined with ankle and hip injuries, respectively, while Mitchell Starc is unavailable due to personal reasons. Furthermore, Mitchell Marsh is out with an injury, and Marcus Stoinis announced his retirement on the eve of the tournament. Despite these setbacks, Rohit Sharma remains wary of the Australian team's ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most.

"Look, it is a great opposition to play against," skipper Rohit told reporters. "All we have to do is what we have been thinking about the last three games and we have to approach that game in a similar fashion. We understand the opposition and how they play and stuff like that."

While the current Australian squad may appear weaker on paper compared to the one that triumphed over India in the 2023 World Cup final, their reputation for performing under pressure cannot be underestimated. The last time these two teams met in an ODI, Australia emerged victorious by six wickets in Ahmedabad.

Rohit Sharma acknowledged Australia's formidable history, stating, "Look, Australia have been such a great team over the years. So we will expect some fightbacks, we will expect some nervy times as well in the middle. But that is how the game is being played these days. And you are talking about a semi-final."

India's strategic decision to field four spinners, including two all-rounders, in their recent group match against New Zealand proved to be a masterstroke, with Varun Chakravarthy delivering a match-winning performance, claiming 5-42. Rohit Sharma hinted at the possibility of maintaining the same combination against Australia, recognizing the potency of their spin attack on the Dubai pitch.

"He just showed what he is capable of," Rohit said of man of the match Chakravarthy, a wrist spinner with many variations up his sleeve. "Now it is up to us to think and see how we can get that combination right. He did everything that was asked for... it is a good headache to have."

Despite India playing all their matches in Dubai, Rohit dismissed claims of it being an advantage, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding the pitch conditions. "Even for us it is a little bit of a question mark as to which pitch is being played," said Rohit. "Because there are four or five surfaces that are being used here. I don't know which pitch is going to be played in the semi-finals. But whatever happens we will have to adapt and see what is happening and what is not. And this is not our home, this is Dubai."

According to weather reports, no rain is expected on match day, with a sunny and clear day in Dubai. The temperature is expected to be around 30°C during the first half of the match, dropping to around 25°C after sunset. The pitch in Dubai has proven challenging for batting, with spin bowlers expected to play a crucial role for both teams. India holds a 2-1 lead over Australia in Champions Trophy encounters, adding another layer of anticipation to this high-stakes semi-final clash.