Australia captain Steve Smith thinks spinners will play a big role in the semi-final clash against India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on March 4. India deployed four spinners in their last match against New Zealand and registered a 44-run win at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. “Apart from Chakravarthy, India have other quality spinners as well. A lot will depend on how we play their spinners in Dubai. It is going to be a big challenge,” Smith said.
“There will be help for the spinners, and we must counter that.
We have a few options for handling the Indian spinner,” he added.Smith also fired Travis Head’s warning to Team India. Head has been sensational against the subcontinent team across formats, and his knocks have led the Aussies to win big matches.
“The pressure is always there in a big game, but Travis Head has contributed in those matches in the past. He batted well against Afghanistan. “I am sure he will look to play aggressively against India in Dubai. He just has to get away in the powerplay overs,” he further mentioned.
The 35-year-old admitted that Australia has missed Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood’s presence in the tournament.
“India has played all three games here, so they are about the pitch. I don’t know if it is an advantage for them. The square block is dry, and we have seen how wickets have played.”