Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has added that the Indian team would stick with the same playing XI for their 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final against Australia. He said that Team India would persist with Varun Chakaravarthy as the fourth spinner in their bowling attack as well.
However, Team India will play against Australia in the first semi-final of the 2025 Champions Trophy
in Dubai on Tuesday, March 4 as well. Chakaravarthy registered figures of 5/42 in 10 overs in India’s 44-run win against New Zealand after replacing Harshit Rana in the XI as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra’, he said, “I feel India won’t make any changes in their playing XI. Although it’s slightly against the popular belief, a one-dimensional attack is not good. You need a little variety in your attack. It’s not right if you keep all pacers or all spinners. When you bowl too much spin, the batters get used to it. If you see from that point of view, you feel the attack should be slightly multi-faceted and India should play another fast bowler. However, I am convinced India won’t do that. India will play the same team that played the last match. Varun Chakaravarthy won’t be dropped now.”
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However, Aakash Chopra also stated that Australia would be forced to make at least one change as Matthew Short has been ruled out of the tournament as well.
“Who is Cooper Connolly? He has very limited ODI experience. So how has he suddenly become a part of the Australian team? Firstly, it’s because Matthew Short got injured. It’s a difficult one for Australia. Matthew Short was doing well as an opener. He also bowls off-spin. He doesn’t take too many wickets but can bowl restrictively,” he said.
“Cooper Connolly is coming after playing an incredible BBL. He can bat down the order and also bowls left-arm spin. So he gives you options. They might get tempted on this pitch. The other option is Jake Fraser-McGurk. It will be a like-for-like replacement as an opener, but Jake Fraser-McGurk won’t give you bowling,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
