Varun Chakaravarthy in, Harshit Rana out of ICC Champions Trophy semis

It’s that clash again. India vs Australia, the greatest rivalry of this generation which is more exciting than India vs Pakistan. India Cricket Team will face off against Australia again in a knockout match after that heartbreak in Ahmedabad in the World Cup final. However, Around 1800 km away, in Dubai, Rohit Sharma & Co will be desperate to avenge that loss in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals. And it will be a trial by spin for the mighty Aussies who are already in an injury crisis. After a match-winning performance against New Zealand, Varun Chakaravarthy will retain his place in India Playing XI vs Australia. But that also hints at keeping Harshit Rana on the bench.

India’s spin quartet bowled 37.3 overs out of a possible 45.3 and bagged 9 wickets out of 10. With Indian spinners taking advantage of the slow Dubai pitch, India will likely go with four spinners again. Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja will team up with Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy. Mohammed Shami will be the only pacer while Hardik Pandya will be the second seamer.

India’s spin choke

India head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar faced a lot of criticism for taking five spinners to Dubai. However, they have now silenced the critics. Barring the Bangladesh match, Indian spinners have been extremely effective. Against Pakistan, Indian spinners bowled 26 overs, bagging five wickets. But it was not just about wickets. They choked the opponent in the middle overs, making it difficult to score runs against.

All spinners have bowled at an economy rate of less than 5 in the three matches so far. Even Kuldeep Yadav who has conceded the most runs among Indian spinners has had an economy rate of 4.57 in the middle-overs. While they haven’t been able to take as many wickets in the middle overs, the chokehold on scoring runs has been extremely effective. Against Australia, it will be the key again.

Varun Chakaravarthy vs Harshit Rana

Had it been any other venue and had Varun Chakaravarthy not performed in the IND vs NZ clash, India would have thought of playing with two specialist seamers. But now, that question is out of the window. India will play with four spinners. That means Harshit Rana will be sacrificed again for Varun Chakaravarthy who is now Rohit Sharma’s trump card.

In his only 2nd ODI, Chakaravarthy redeemed himself with 5/42 in Dubai where his international career was all but written off in 2021. Mitchell Santner looked clueless against the Tamil Nadu spinner. That he trapped three batters LBW and cleaned up two others makes him a potent weapon against Australia. At this moment, hardly any batter can read Varun Chakaravarthy.

“Early in his career, he wasn’t very consistent with his lines and lengths. But now, his bowling makes him a very difficult bowler to face. His action naturally makes it look like he’s delivering left-arm spin, but 90% of his deliveries are googlies, making it tough for batsmen who haven’t faced him before,” Former India batter Ambati Rayudu said on JioHotstar.

Rayudu also added that Chakaravarthy’s performance will create a selection conundrum between him and Rana.

Is there a place for Rishabh Pant?

With KL Rahul struggling behind the stumps, many fans want Rohit Sharma to pick Rishabh Pant. But is there a place for the left-hander? It is difficult other than any late injury.

Despite his fumbles and dropped catches behind the stumps, KL Rahul has been solid in ODIs. In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, he has scored 41 not out against Bangladesh and 23 against New Zealand, batting at No 6. While he is still adapting to the new role, he remains one of the best in the middle-order.

As Gautam Gambhir confirmed, KL Rahul remains the No 1 keeper-batter in ODIs and he will remain so against Australia. With India’s focus on all-rounders, there is no opportunity for KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant to play together.

Predicted India Playing XI vs Australia

In short, despite the short turnaround time, India will go with the same Playing XI that faced New Zealand barring any late niggles or injuries. Arshdeep Singh and Washington Sundar will also have to warm the bench with no open spot available in India Playing XI.

1. Rohit Sharma (C)
2. Shubman Gill (VC)
3. Virat Kohli
4. Shreyas Iyer
5. Axar Patel
6. KL Rahul (WK)
7. Hardik Pandya
8. Ravindra Jadeja
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Mohammed Shami
11. Varun Chakaravarthy

India Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh