Is India under pressure after being destined to take on Australia in the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025? Trolls and a section of cricket fans online feel so. Australia, particularly Travis Head, has been a thorn in the flesh for India in recent times. However, Captain Rohit Sharma disagrees. 'Hitman' thinks that given what is at stake, the "pressure to win" will be equal on both the teams.
India have not beaten Australia in the ICC knockout matches since winning the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal. However, Steve Smith's men have become familiar foes for India, who are in fine form, Sharma said. All his unit needs to do is carry on what they have been doing so far in the tournament.
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Rohit Sharma also warned of some intense competition in the semifinal to be played here on Tuesday.
The case of a missing fielding medal 🤔
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"Look, they are a great opposition to play against... We will expect some nervy times as well in the middle. But that is how the game is being played these days. And you are talking about the semifinal. Obviously, the pressure will be on both teams to win that game," he added.
Rohit said Australia will offer a tough "fight back" even without some big names such as Pat Cummins, but expressed confidence in his side's ability to ward off the Antipodeans' charge.
"But I think the more and more we focus on what we need to do as a group, as a player, as a batting unit, as a bowling unit, that helps us a lot. Australia has been such a great team over the years. So, we will expect some fight back.
"So, I think it is important for us to just keep focusing on what we need to do, keep doing our things and keep doing those things right. And then the result will come if we keep doing the things that we are supposed to," he signed off.
