Here’s why Team India is all but certain to play Australia at ICC Champions Trophy semifinal

India have a 2-1 head-to-head record against Australia at the ICC Champions Trophy.

Despite two league stage games still remaining, we have got ourselves three confirmed semi-finalists of the ICC Champions Trophy. New Zealand and India were the first two teams to seal their spot from Group A. While from the other group, Australia have sneaked through despite playing just one full match. With them would come the South African unit, who just have to make sure that they don’t lose by some gigantic margin of 207+ against England. But who will face India? As things are turning out to be, it may well be Australia.

India-Australia clash at Champions Trophy semi-final?

Call it an advantage or anything, but India’s semifinal is already decided. Because they are playing the entire tournament in Dubai, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has seeded their semi-final on March 4. It will be the first of the two semifinals, scheduled in Dubai. Regardless of wherever India finishes at the group stage, they will play on Tuesday (March 4).

However, their opponent is still undecided. Rohit Sharma and company have one game remaining—against New Zealand on Sunday (March 2). The winner of that game will end up as the table topper and will be facing the second-placed side from Group B. As of now, Group B’s second-placed team is South Africa, who are likely to beat England in their last game. Considering the arsenal that the Proteas have and the six-match losing streak England is on, South Africa could well finish at the top of the table with 5 points.

Now, there are high chances of India beating New Zealand on Sunday as well. The Men in Blue are a much better team on paper and have cultivated a habit of utilising the Dubai conditions to their advantage. Given India beat the Kiwis, they would finish atop too. This create a enthralling clash between India (winner of G-A) vs Australia (2nd from G-B).