Following their impressive 44-run victory over New Zealand in the final group match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India finds itself in a challenging situation. As they prepare for the semifinal against Australia on Tuesday, captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir face a crucial decision: should they retain the lineup that secured the win against New Zealand, or revert to the Playing XI that triumphed over Bangladesh and Pakistan? Just a day prior, the choice would have been straightforward. Harshit Rana, who delivered figures of 3/31 against Bangladesh and 1/30 against Pakistan, was the second leading pace bowler in the squad, following Mohammed Shami, with Hardik Pandya serving as the third fast-bowling option.

However, Varun Chakaravarthy's outstanding performance on Sunday night in Dubai, where he achieved a career-best 5/42, played a pivotal role in bowling out New Zealand for 205 while defending a total of 249. Rohit acknowledged that Varun's impressive form has created a 'good headache' for him and the team, yet the captain understands that in a high-stakes match like the semifinal, particularly against a formidable opponent such as Australia, every decision is critical.

So, which Playing XI should India opt for? Former India coach Ravi Shastri offers his perspective: "I would stick with the same XI because the turnaround is less than 48 hours. The pitch is somewhat fatigued at the moment, and players have already run on the surface that will be used the following day. Therefore, the spinners will likely play a significant role."

Rohit and the Indian team are acutely aware of the challenges posed by Australia in knockout matches. The memories of the defeat on November 19, 2023, remain vivid, despite India subsequently winning the T20 World Cup. That loss instilled a sense of trepidation among Indian supporters. Recently, India has struggled against Australia, having lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Historically, they have only managed to defeat Australia twice in ICC knockout matches: during the T20 World Cup in South Africa and the 2011 World Cup in India. To alter this trend, Shastri recommends that India field the same team that overcame New Zealand and, if given the chance to bat first, aim to set a competitive total.

Ravi Shastri's mantra to beat Australia

"If a team bats first and sets a target of 240-250 runs, it will create a highly competitive environment in a significant match such as a semi-final," remarked Shastri following the conclusion of the match.

In the 2023 World Cup final, India faced challenges after opting to bat first, as the difficult Ahmedabad pitch hindered their batting performance. Despite their exceptional skills, the Indian team has demonstrated a tendency to struggle when the pitch conditions are either turning or slow. India must avoid repeating the errors made during that unfortunate evening in Ahmedabad to ensure a successful progression to the final on Sunday, where they will meet the winner of the second semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa, scheduled for Wednesday.

Read Also: Sourav Ganguly's Smashing Reply to Hussain & Atherton on 'Dubai Advantage': 'In Pakistan, India Would've Scored...'

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!