India and Australia will face each other in the 1st semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai and both the cricket giants will be up against each other for the first time in this format after the final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at Ahmedabad. India have topped the Group A table after defeating Bangladesh in the opening game, followed by defeating their nemesis Pakistan in the second match and beating New Zealand in the final league stage match. Australia, on the other hand, have won two out of their three matches, while one game of their against South Africa was washed out due to continuous rain. They entered the tournament without their key players, and are now amongst the favorites after convincingly chasing a huge total against England, followed by beating Afghanistan in their last match to finish second in Group B. Both India and Australia will now face each other at Dubai, and this will be their first Head-to-Head encounter at this venue. The rivalry between these two teams has always been a thriller. Big names will be up against each other in this encounter. Let's find out four key player battles to witness in this high-voltage match. Player Battles to Watch in IND vs AUS Semi-Final Hardik Pandya vs Travis Head Image Source: Getty Images Travis Head poses a perpetual threat to Team India, especially when it comes to knockout games. The memory of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Final is still haunting the Indian fans. But, one player who was missing in that match for India was the prominent Indian all-rounder, Hardik Pandya. It would be surprising for some to know that Hardik Pandya is one of two Indian bowlers who has dismissed Travis Head twice in this format. Though the strike rate of Head remains higher against Hardik, but the all-rounder manages to get the better of him. If India goes remains against Australia, Hardik Pandya will have an opportunity to bowl in the power-play and dismiss the danger-man for the third time. Virat Kohli vs Adam Zampa Image Source: Getty Images Virat Kohli's recent struggle against the leg spinner is known to all. Out of four innings against the leg-spinners in 2025 so far, Virat Kohli has scored 25 runs at a strike rate of just 45.45. What's more concerning is him losing his wicket thrice in four innings against the leg-spinners. With a quality leg-spinner like Adam Zampa as an opponent, it will be a challenge for the Indian Stalwart to survive against him and avoid losing his wicket in the same manner. Zampa has scalped Kohli's wicket 5 times in 14 innings, and he will aim to add into it in the semi-final. Mohammed Shami vs Steven Smith Image Source: Getty Images One of the finest batters in the moder day cricket and the skipper of Australia, Steven Smith, loves to score big against India, especially in the crucial matches. At an average of 52.40, Smudge has scored 1,310 runs against India, including five centuries and six half-centuries. However, the Indian seamer Mohammed Shami has been successful in restricting the Australian batter in this format. In 9 innings, Shami has dismissed Smith on four occasions. If Australia loses an early wicket and Smith comes out to bat early, Shami can pose a genuine threat to him. Kuldeep Yadav vs Glenn Maxwell Image Source: Getty Images Another Australian known for delivering unbelievable match-winning knocks for his side in the knockouts will aim to display a stellar against India in the semi-final. Maxwell averages 44.40 against spin in this format. With India carrying four spinners, he will look to counter them with his aggressive style. However, one Indian spinner who has troubled Glenn Maxwell is Kuldeep Yadav. In 11 innings against each other, Kuldeep has dismissed Maxwell thrice. Though he has been expensive, but wicket matters the most and if the spinner dismisses the hard hitter early, India will have a strong chance of reaching the final.