Ravi Shastri appears to have found the solution to India’s selection dilemma ahead of their Champions Trophy semifinal against Australia on Tuesday.
After a dominant 44-run victory over New Zealand in their final group-stage match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India now faces a selection dilemma. As they prepare for the semifinal against Australia on Tuesday, captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir must decide whether to retain the winning combination from the New Zealand clash or revert to the Playing XI that triumphed over Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Just a day ago, the choice seemed straightforward. Harshit Rana, who impressed with figures of 3/31 against Bangladesh and 1/30 against Pakistan, served as India’s second frontline pacer alongside Mohammed Shami, with Hardik Pandya providing an additional fast-bowling option.
However, Varun Chakaravarthy’s sensational performance on Sunday night in Dubai has added a new twist to India’s selection dilemma. His career-best 5/42 helped India bowl out New Zealand for 205 while defending 249. Rohit Sharma acknowledged that Varun’s form has given the team a “good headache,” but even he knows that in a high-stakes semifinal—especially against a formidable side like Australia—every decision is crucial.
Which Playing XI should India opt for? Former India coach Ravi Shastri has a clear answer. “I would stick with the same XI because the turnaround time is less than 48 hours. The pitch is a bit worn out, and with players having run on it, spinners will play a crucial role once again,” he explained.
India, especially Rohit Sharma, understands the pain of losing to Australia in a knockout game. The wounds of November 19, 2023, remain fresh, even after India’s T20 World Cup triumph. That defeat left a lingering sense of unease among Indian fans.
Recent history hasn’t been kind to India against Australia, with the team suffering a Border-Gavaskar Trophy loss Down Under. In ICC knockout matches, India has beaten Australia only twice—during the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa and the 2011 World Cup at home.
For that record to improve, Ravi Shastri believes India should stick with the same XI that defeated New Zealand. He also suggests that if given the chance to bat first, India should aim for a competitive total and let the spinners take control of the game.
Ravi Shastri’s Formula to Beat Australia
“If you bat first, put up anything over 240-250—it’s going to be very competitive in a big game like a semifinal,” Shastri said after the match.
India learned a harsh lesson in the 2023 World Cup final when batting first on a sluggish Ahmedabad pitch backfired, preventing their batters from gaining momentum. Despite their formidable batting lineup, India has struggled on slow or turning tracks, often losing pace at crucial moments.
To avoid repeating the mistakes of that fateful night in Ahmedabad, India must adapt and execute their game plan effectively. A win on Tuesday would secure their place in Sunday’s final, where they will face the winner of the second semifinal between New Zealand and South Africa, set to take place on Wednesday.
