Australia captain Steve Smith is confident his team can handle India’s strong spin attack as they face off in the Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday. The match is a highly anticipated rematch of the 2023 World Cup final, where Australia triumphed over India in Ahmedabad.
Despite missing key pacers like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc due to injuries, Australia remains optimistic. Smith acknowledged the challenge posed by India’s spinners, including Varun Chakravarthy, who impressed with a five-wicket haul against New Zealand. He emphasized the importance of navigating the middle overs effectively to counter India’s spin threat.
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With Dubai’s pitch expected to assist spinners, Australia may rely on part-time options such as Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne to support frontline bowlers Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell. Cooper Connolly, a left-arm spinner, has also joined the squad as a replacement for the injured Matthew Short.
India has faced criticism for playing all their matches in Dubai while other teams traveled between Pakistan and the UAE. However, Smith downplayed the issue, stating that the Australian squad benefited from a brief reset in Dubai before the high-stakes clash. With Travis Head in strong form, Australia will be aiming for another big-stage victory against their familiar rivals.
