India, Feb. 17 -- Australia have proven time and again that they are always a force to reckon with in any big cricket tournament, regardless of the form or events leading up to it. Considering even this, it has to be said that they go into this Champions Trophy in some strife. Their preparation for the tournament has been a two-match ODI series in Sri Lanka which they lost quite comprehensively. Additionally, in the leadup to this series and the Champions Trophy itself, Australia lost five huge names due to varying reasons.

Pat Cummins, the captain extraordinaire who led Australia to all their big titles recently, including the 2023 World Cup, is out due to injury, as are Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh. Cummins' fellow pace spearhead ...