The knockout matches of the 2025 Champions Trophy are set to begin on February 4. The first semi-final match will be played between India and Australia in Dubai. The ICC has introduced special rules for these matches to ensure a result is determined

The excitement among cricket fans for the 2025 Champions Trophy is set to increase as the knockout matches begin on February 4. The first semi-final match will be played between India and Australia at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. However, the biggest question is what will happen if the semi-final match between these two teams is washed out due to rain, and what rules the ICC has set for the knockout matches this time.What happens if the India-Australia match is abandoned?Rain and Australia have had an unusual connection in the Champions Trophy. In the last two editions, three of Australia’s matches were washed out due to rain. Even in this tournament, one of their matches could not be played due to rain. This has left fans worried about the possibility of rain affecting the semi-final as well.To address such situations, the ICC has allocated a reserve day for both semi-final matches. However, every effort will be made to complete the match on the scheduled day itself. If that is not possible, the game will resume from where it was stopped on the reserve day.This means that if the India vs. Australia semi-final is not completed on March 4, it will continue on March 5, the reserve day. According to the Duckworth-Lewis rule, to determine a result, the team batting second must face at least 25 overs in knockout matches (compared to 20 overs in the group stage).However, if the match remains incomplete even on the reserve day, then the team that finished higher in the group stage will qualify for the final. Since India topped the group stage, they will advance to the final in such a scenario.Reserve day for South Africa vs. New Zealand matchThe second semi-final of the 2025 Champions Trophy will be played between South Africa and New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. A reserve day has been set for March 6 in case the match cannot be completed on the scheduled day.If this match also fails to produce a result, then South Africa will qualify for the final, as they finished top of Group B, whereas New Zealand finished second in Group A.