The highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal between India and Australia is set to take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. With both teams eyeing a spot in the final, cricket fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the clash. However, with unpredictable weather always a factor, what happens if rain disrupts the game?
India vs Australia: Road to the Semifinal
India has been in dominant form, finishing atop Group A with a perfect record—three wins in three matches. Rohit Sharma’s side showcased their all-round strength, most notably in their last group-stage encounter against New Zealand. Shreyas Iyer’s 79-run knock and Varun Chakravarthy’s match-winning five-wicket haul were instrumental in securing victory.
Australia, on the other hand, had a rain-affected campaign in Group B. Despite multiple washed-out games, they secured a semifinal spot after defeating England by five wickets in their only completed match. Steve Smith’s team pulled off a record-breaking chase of 351 against England, proving their batting depth. However, they will be without key players such as Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, and Marcus Stoinis.
Will Rain Affect the IND vs AUS Semifinal?
So far, three group-stage matches in the Champions Trophy 2025 have been impacted by rain, leading to teams sharing points. While weather forecasts indicate minimal chances of rain on the day of the India vs Australia semifinal, cricket is always at the mercy of the elements.
If rain interrupts the semifinal after it has started, the match will resume on the next available day from the exact point where it was halted. ICC has allocated reserve days for both semifinal matches and the final to ensure a fair outcome.
What Happens If Rain Washes Out the Semifinal Completely?
For the semifinal and final matches to be deemed official, at least 25 overs per side must be bowled. If rain persists and neither the scheduled day nor the reserve day sees enough play, the team that finished higher in the group stage will advance to the final.
In this case:
- India, as Group A toppers, will progress to the final if their match against Australia is completely washed out.
- South Africa, who led Group B, will move forward if rain disrupts their semifinal against their opponent.
ICC’s Rain Rules for Knockout Matches
- Minimum Overs Requirement: A match must have at least 25 overs per side to count as a completed game.
- Reserve Day: If rain interrupts play, the match will resume from the halted point on the reserve day.
- Group Stage Ranking Rule: If both the scheduled day and reserve day are washed out, the team that finished higher in the group stage advances.
Looking Ahead to the Final
The Champions Trophy 2025 final is scheduled to take place at the same venue in Dubai. If rain continues to be a factor in the final, the same rules will apply, ensuring that a winner is determined based on either play or group stage performance.
While rain has played spoilsport in the tournament, the ICC’s backup plans ensure a fair contest. With India and Australia both aiming for the title, fans will be hoping for a rain-free semifinal to witness a thrilling contest between two cricketing giants.
For more updates on the Champions Trophy 2025, visit Daljoog News.
