India is virtually assured a spot in the Champions Trophy semi-finals, with Rohit Sharma and his team dominating so far. They secured commanding victories over Bangladesh and Pakistan in Dubai last week. If results go their way, India’s final group-stage match against New Zealand on Sunday might just be a warm-up for the knockouts. Citing security concerns, India chose not to play in Pakistan and is competing under a hybrid model in Dubai.
India on the Brink of Champions Trophy Semi-Final Berth
Meanwhile, Australian captain Pat Cummins believes India’s consistent presence in Dubai provides them with an advantage. Cummins skipped the tournament to be with his family for the birth of his second child, Edi, and to recover from an ankle injury.
“It’s great that the tournament is continuing, but playing all their games at the same venue gives India a big advantage. They already look strong, and familiarity with the ground adds to it,” he told Yahoo Sport Australia.
Cummins will return to action next month, leading SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL, starting March 22.
Last season, Cummins took SRH to the final, where they fell short against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Reflecting on his decision to skip the Champions Trophy, Cummins said, “It’s been great to be home. My ankle rehab is going well, and I’ll start running and bowling this week. With the IPL, Test World Championship, and West Indies tour ahead, there’s a lot to look forward to.”
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In his absence, Steve Smith is captaining Australia. The team started strong, securing a thrilling win against England in Lahore by successfully chasing 352, thanks to Josh Inglis’ unbeaten 120 off 86 balls.
Cummins praised Inglis for his standout performance, saying, “This felt like his breakthrough moment. He’s incredibly dynamic against spin in the middle overs and fearless against pace with his reverse ramps. He’s a class act. Now that he has centuries in all three formats and has delivered in a major tournament like the Champions Trophy, he’s proven he’s ready. Selecting the final XI for the next Test will be a tough call.”
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