Champions Trophy 2025: Ravi Shastri wants India to field four spinners against Australia

India will face Australia in the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final after a compelling 44-run triumph over New Zealand in the last group stage clash. With the tournament getting in a decisive phase, the former India head coach Ravi Shastri weighed in on the team’s lookout and perspective for the crucial face off. 

Despite a short turnaround for the semi-final, Shastri believes that India are well-settled and familiar with the conditions in Dubai, which will help their cause. He also reckoned that team should maintain the same playing XI for the semi-final.

“The square is a little tired at the moment, and people have run on the pitch that will be used again the day after. So, the spinners will once again come into play,” Shastri told Star Sports, putting focus on the need to stand by with a spin-heavy attack. 

India’s call to go for four spinners— Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav—proved to be a match-winning move against New Zealand. With fast bowler Harshit Rana resting, the spin troupe dominated on the slow track in Dubai, registering nine of the ten wickets in 37.3 overs combined.

Chakaravarthy was the standout performer, claiming an impressive five-wicket haul in just his second ODI and the first-ever at an ICC tournament. Shastri expressed confidence in India’s capability to depict their success in the upcoming semi-final game. 

“If you bat first and put anything over 240-250, it’s going to be very competitive in a big game like a semi-final,” Shastri stated.

With India's spin group playing in top form and the conditions likely to remain quite favorable for slow bowling, India will be looking forward to continue their domination when they play against Australia in the high stakes semi-final on March 4 in Dubai.