Dubai: India finished on top of Group A following a commanding win over New Zealand in their final group fixture.
India have set themselves up a semi-final showdown against Australia after a solid 44-run win against the Black Caps in the final group-stage fixture of the Champions Trophy 2025, with the tournament now heading into the last-four phase.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri made a call on the XI that should feature for India in the upcoming fixture against Australia, the ICC reported.
With a turnaround of less than 48 hours, and with the side from today having an experience of the conditions, Ravi Shastri thinks India should stick with the same lineup.
“The square is a little tired at the moment, people have run on the pitch that is going to be used the day after, so the spinners will again come into play,” Shastri added on spin being the preferred route for India.
India unleashed their spin attack of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and new entrant, Varun Chakaravarathy on the slow track of Dubai against New Zealand, going with four spinners as Harshit Rana was rested.
A total of 37.3 overs were bowled by the spinners as they succeeded in controlling the New Zealand batting effectively, picking nine out of the ten wickets with Varun Chakravarathy leading with a five-for.
On the back of their spin bowling prowess, India managed to defend a target of 250. Shastri believed the side was capable of turning it around similarly in future fixtures.
“So if you bat first, put anything over 240-250, it’s going to be very competitive in a big game like a semi-final,” Shastri said.
The first semi-final of the tournament between India and Australia will take place on 4 March 2025 in Dubai.
