Ray Sportz Web Desk: India will find out their Champions Trophy semi-final opponents after their final group match against New Zealand on Sunday. With the two teams already qualified, this match will determine which team finishes top and plays against Australia, and which team will face South Africa.

Sunil Gavaskar explained why India might be happier to face Australia in the Champions Trophy semifinal than South Africa. If India beat the Kiwis, they will take on Australia in the first semi-final on Tuesday at the Dubai International Stadium. Otherwise, they will face the Proteas, what would be a repeat of last year’s T20 World Cup final.

Gavaskar explained “Both teams are formidable teams, make no mistake. There’s no such team that India will say, because now they know, they’ve come to the knockout stages. Here it’s now make or break, so I don’t think they would prefer to have any team.” Nevertheless, Gavaskar also explained that this Australian team is not the same as the one Rohit Sharma’s men had toured for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy recently, especially since their three-headed primary pace attack is missing out. “So maybe they might prefer Australia because Australia are without their main bowlers. There’s no Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood so maybe they would want to play them,” concluded Gavaskar regarding why Australia might be a preferred opponent.

Ray Sportz Web Desk: The stage is set for a virtual Champions Trophy clash between Afghanistan and England at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The elimination sword hangs around the necks of England and Afghanistan, especially after both teams lost their opening matches to Australia and South Africa, respectively. Both teams are in a do-or-die situation, as the loser will be eliminated from the tournament. The match sets up an exciting battle between England’s powerful batting lineup and Afghanistan’s skilled spinners.

Ray Sportz Web Desk: India is going to face their traditional rivals on February 23 in Dubai. The clash between these two arch-rivals is always a high-voltage encounter. Before the match against Pakistan, Virat Kohli has done something special that has made the whole Pakistan team sleepless. The practice time of the Indian cricket team was 1 o’clock according to the time in Dubai. But Virat Kohli, according to the time in Dubai, at 11 o’clock in the morning, reached the ICC academy to practice two hours before the scheduled time.

Last night Virat Kohli specifically said, “I have to practice three hours before the scheduled time.” He wanted to face the top bowlers of UAE. Because, the players who are playing in UAE, most of the players are from Pakistan. This shows how committed Virat Kohli is, before the Pakistan match. In the first match of Champions Trophy, Virat was unable to make a satisfying mark. In the recent past Virat is not getting his pick form. So he is very much eager to get back into the pick. That’s why he is doing hard work, giving extra effort in Dubai.