Champions Trophy 2025: KL Rahul out, big changes in playing XI

Champions Trophy 2025: The stage is set for the biggest match of the Champions Trophy 2025 as India take on Australia in the semi-final clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. KL Rahul out, big changes in India vs Australia semi-final match playing XI.

India will be looking to avenge their one-sided defeat by Australia in the 2023 World Cup final. Both India and Australia are unbeaten in the tournament as both teams look to outdo each other to reach the grand finale. While India have the momentum with them, Australia have the psychological edge over the Indian side.

India have two key player issues to deal with ahead of the semis and one of them is KL Rahul’s form. The batsman has not been trusted by the team management of late and his keeping has also been par to say the least. Will India ditch KL Rahul for Rishabh Pant? Will they make any other changes?

Rohit Sharma and the team management are not known for much chopping and changing and with everything going according to plan, they are likely to stick with the same XI that defeated New Zealand. Change is made only in case of injury. However, we think India should go ahead with two major changes and here are who they are.

In the last three series before the Champions Trophy, KL Rahul had average performances and was shaky with the bat.

During the England tour and the Champions Trophy, coach Gautam Gambhir preferred to send Axar Patel at 5 instead of KL Rahul. Besides, his keeping has also taken a hit as he has dropped several catches in the last Champions Trophy 2025 few matches.

Why Pant should be selected?

The key factor is that Rishabh Pant has a strike rate of 106.21, which may be needed against the Aussies. Like the Kiwis, Australia are a brilliant fielding unit and India cannot play too many dot balls. Here, Pant steps up the role to slay any attack with ease. Also, as a keeper he has improved a lot and will be an interesting gamble for Australia’s clash.

Champions Trophy 2025: India vs Australia Semi-final match: India probable playing XI

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul/ Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.

Also Read: IPL 2025 Full Schedule: RCB will face KKR in first match on March 22