Former India captain Anil Kumble added that the Indian team will use four spinners for their 2025 Champions Trophy semifinal match against Australia in Dubai on Tuesday, March 4 as well. According to Kumble, India has four quality spinners and they should take advantage of the conditions in the UAE as well.

During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Kumble backed India’s spin strategy and said: “I don’t think the surface is going to change. It’s not going to change from what we saw against New Zealand. I would think that India would go with four spinners and Varun Chakravarthy will certainly play. The only chance perhaps is [Mohammed] Shami. He did get hit on his shoulder, but he looked fine when he bowled, so I don’t see that also [as] a problem.”

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“India, I feel, will go with the same playing XI against Australia and not look to bring in another fast bowler. The surface and the conditions certainly suit these four spinners. All four are quality spinners. So, 40 overs of good spin bowling, plus you have option of 20 overs of pace. I don’t think India need to worry too much,” he further added.

However, Indian captain Rohit Sharma has also admitted that playing four spinners in the 2025 Champions Trophy semifinal against Australia is a great option considering the conditions in Dubai as well.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Rohit said, “We really need to think, even if we want to play four spinners, how we can squeeze four spinners. If we don’t, then we don’t. Whatever works for us in terms of the bowling options, we will try and do that… We’ll think about it, what is the right combination to go with. But it is tempting.”