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Ahead of the first semi-between India and Australia in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday, former cricketer Laxmi Ratan Shukla asserted that when the both teams have faced each other in the sport, the cricket fans have witnessed a "fantastic match".
Once again, the knockout stage of an ICC tournament sets the stage for high drama, fireworks, and thrilling cricket. India's clash with Australia is no exception, as both teams bring history, rivalry, and recent form into the mix. There's no question the Indians will have 2023 on their mind... and perhaps even the recent Border-Gavaskar series played down under. One thing that can't be questioned is Australia's capacity to rise to the challenge in the biggest games, even without the presence of several key contributors. "Nobody knows what would happen in cricket, but spectators have witnessed a fantastic match when India and Australia have faced each other. Both teams are very strong. But the wickets in Dubai and Pakistan are very different from each other. Fast bowling has an advantage on Pakistan's pitch, and you can even bat well there. But in Dubai, India has an advantage," Laxmi Ratan Shukla said while speaking to ANI. The former cricketer further hailed the four spinners of the Indian Cricket team, namely left-arm spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, and mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. "We have four world-class spinners - Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy. You would face them for 40 overs. So, India has a 100% advantage here. They have Travis Head who has always scored against India. They have Adam Zampa. But India has an advantage. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in good form," the 43-year-old player added. Ahead of the clash, Indian cricketer Kuldeep Yadav's former coach Kapil Dev Pandey praised the cricketer's performance in the ongoing marquee event. "This match will be amazing... Millions of Indians want our team to win and reach the finals. Kuldeep's (Yadav) performance has been exceptional, especially against Pakistan when he took three wickets. I want him to keep it up... The whole team is balanced..." Kapil Dev Pandey said. Ravindra Jadeja's wife and Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) MLA, Rivaba Jadeja, said that she is confident that the Rohit Sharma-led side will emerge as winners against the Men in Yellow. "Definitely we are going to win this match because a very interesting rivalry in cricket, right after India vs Pakistan, is India vs Australia. We have witnessed from a couple of years that India vs Australia matches are very thrilling. Not just me; Cricket lovers across India are confident that we will definitely cross the hurdle of the semi-final. Good luck to Team India," she said. (ANI)
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