After defeating New Zealand in their last group-stage match at the Champions Trophy 2025, Team India is all set to face the mighty Australians in the first semi-final on Tuesday, in Dubai. The Australians, with their experience of handling pressure situations effortlessly, once again stand in the way of India to an ICC title. Rohit Sharma and his crew would now seek to settle the score for that heartbreaking loss in the ODI World Cup 2023 final. With the stage thus laid, former Australian cricketer Brad Haddin said that Team India is under a lot of pressure to win this semi-final at any cost.
India refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, so all their matches are being played in Dubai. Since playing at the same venue throughout the tournament, many former cricketers, expecting some assurance for Australia, spoke similarly of gaining an upper hand over the other teams.
Here, Haddin said that conditions are in favor of Team India to win this semi-final.
“India find themselves in a unique position, having played all of their games at the same venue. The square is devoid of grass; it looks dry. It suits India, so I think all the pressure is on them. It has been set up for them, playing great cricket, but it is still a once-off shootout,” Haddin said on the Willow Talk podcast.
“Australia pride themselves on making sure the tournament play is spot-on and makes it one of those games. And I don’t think any pressure is put on the Australians at all. They (India) have enjoyed success forever and there would be- I don’t know whether it’s an upset- but I could see Australia beating India in these conditions.”
Haddin went as far as to add a little warning to the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir: If Rohit Sharma and co. don’t qualify for the final, the 2011 World Cup winner is likely to face the heat.
“I think there’s a lot of pressure on India, with the way they’ve played their cricket since Gautam Gambhir has taken over,” said Haddin.
“They probably haven’t had the success or style of game that was really attractive for the last six months. So I think the pressure is right on India to make the final. And if they don’t make the final, I think there will be a big reaction,” he added.