Australia's opener, Travis Head, experienced the "slowest start" of his One Day International (ODI) career during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final against India at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday, managing only 1 run from his first 10 deliveries. This statistic was significant for multiple reasons. Head is recognized as one of the most explosive batsmen in global cricket and boasts an outstanding record against India across all formats, to the extent that he occupies a prominent place in the minds of fans. However, the playing conditions in Dubai were markedly different, favoring India. The pitch was slow, and India fielded four spinners. It would have been prudent to commence with a spinner alongside Mohammed Shami to unsettle Head early, yet this strategy was not employed. Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh expressed his dissatisfaction with Rohit Sharma's approach.

Following a hesitant beginning, Head aggressively targeted Hardik Pandya and Shami, quickly accumulating over 30 runs. When Rohit finally opted for spin during the powerplay, he did not choose Varun Chakaravarthy, the most adept spinner in the Indian lineup, to bowl with the new ball. Instead, he selected Kuldeep Yadav, who was struck for a six in his second over.

As Head reached 39 runs off 32 balls, Rohit turned to Varun Chakaravarthy. The mystery spinner made an immediate impact, enticing Head, who was facing him for the first time in an international match, to attempt a big shot, resulting in a catch by Shubman Gill running in from the long-off boundary. India achieved the crucial breakthrough, but not before Head had once again provided Australia with a solid start.

Harbhajan criticized Rohit's captaincy, asserting that those rapid 39 runs from Head at the top of the order could ultimately be decisive. 

"Why would you wait nine overs to introduce Varun Chakaravarthy against Travis Head? What is the rationale behind that? The Indian team should have started with him at one end and Shami at the other. Head settled in, and only then was Varun brought on. Those 49 runs could prove to be the difference," Harbhajan remarked during the mid-match analysis.

Shami pulls back Australia

Australian captain Steve Smith (73 runs off 96 balls, including four fours and one six) won the toss earlier, yet the batsmen failed to take full advantage of a notably favorable pitch at the DICS, carelessly losing their wickets through poor shot selection.

During his innings, Smith served as the cornerstone of the Australian batting lineup, contributing to three partnerships of 50 runs or more: 52 runs with Travis Head for the second wicket, 56 runs with Marnus Labuschagne for the third wicket, and 54 runs with Alex Carey, who scored 61 runs off 57 balls, hitting eight fours and one six.

Australia's position could have been significantly improved had two of those partnerships developed into more substantial contributions. Each partnership ended unexpectedly, beginning with Head's dismissal.

Mohammed Shami, the leading pace bowler for India, excelled with figures of 3 for 48 as Australia's innings concluded after 49.3 overs. Spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja each claimed two wickets.

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