Rohit Sharma warned his India team Monday to expect "fightbacks" and "nervy times" against Australia in the Champions Trophy last four in a rematch of the 2023 ODI World Cup final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India hammered New Zealand by 44 runs Sunday to be unbeaten in three matches and top Group A of the 50-over tournament played in Dubai and Pakistan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They next face the Steve Smith-led Australia on Tuesday in Dubai for a place in the final of the eight-nation event.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia beat Ashes rivals England by five wickets in their opening match but their next two games were abandoned because of rain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They are also missing several key players, but the Australians have a reputation for raising their game when it matters and beat hosts India in the World Cup final, the last time the two countries played an ODI.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Look, it is a great opposition to play against," skipper Rohit told reporters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"All we have to do is what we have been thinking about the last three games and we have to approach that game in a similar fashion.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We understand the opposition and how they play and stuff like that."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia are on paper a weaker team from the one that beat India by six wickets in Ahmedabad in November 2023.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The world champions lost fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood to ankle and hip injuries respectively for the Champions Trophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They are also without Mitchell Starc, who is out for personal reasons.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mitchell Marsh is also absent with an injury and Marcus Stoinis announced his retirement on the eve of the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Look, Australia have been such a great team over the years," said Rohit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"So we will expect some fightbacks, we will expect some nervy times as well in the middle.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"But that is how the game is being played these days. And you are talking about a semi-final."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
- 'Dubai not home' -<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n India went in with four spinners including two all-rounders in their last group match in Dubai and came up trumps with Varun Chakravarthy returning figures of 5-42.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Rohit said he will be tempted to keep the same combination against Australia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "He just showed what he is capable of," Rohit said of man of the match Chakravarthy, a wrist spinner with many variations up his sleeve.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "Now it is up to us to think and see how we can get that combination right. He did everything that was asked for... it is a good headache to have."<\/p>\r\n\r\n India have been slammed for playing all their matches at one venue, in Dubai, while other teams shuttle between three Pakistani cities and the UAE.<\/p>\r\n\r\n India refused to play in tournament hosts Pakistan because of political tension.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Rohit dismissed the notion it gives India an advantage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "Even for us it is a little bit of a question mark as to which pitch is being played," said Rohit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "Because there are four or five surfaces that are being used here. I don't know which pitch is going to be played in the semi-finals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n