‘What does it mean that Varun Chakravarthy has been included in the team?’: Harbhajan accuses Rohit of protecting Tiwary

Australia opener Travis Head made the “slowest start to his ODI career” against India in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy semi-final at the Dubai International Stadium, scoring just 1 run off his first 10 balls.

This stat was significant for many reasons. Head is one of the most destructive batsmen in the world and has a great record against India across formats, so much so that he lives rent-free in the minds of fans. However, the conditions in Dubai were quite different. It was in India’s favour. A slow pitch and India had opted for four spinners. It would have been logical to start with a spinner and Mohammed Shami to trap Head early, but that did not happen. Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh was not at all happy with Rohit Sharma’s strategy.

After an initial stumble, Head took on Hardik Pandya and Shami and very quickly scored 30-plus runs. When Rohit turned to spin for the first time in the powerplay, Varun Chakravarthy, the most accomplished spinner in the Indian team, was not sent to bowl with the new ball. He sent Kuldeep Yadav, who was hit for a straight six in his second over.

When Head reached 39 off 32 balls, Rohit brought in Varun Chakravarthy to bowl. The mystery spinner immediately showed his magic. He tempted Head and the left-handed batsman, who was playing his first international match against Chakravarthy, tried to play a big shot but he hit the ball in the air. Shubman Gill ran from the long off boundary and took a good catch. India got the breakthrough, but Head once again gave Australia a good start.

Harbhajan criticised Rohit’s captaincy, saying that with Head remaining at the top of the order, the quick 39-run difference could have been made.
When you have Varun Chakravarthy, why make him wait for nine overs against Travis Head? Then what is the point of him being in the team? India should have started him at one end and Shami at the other. He got set and then Varun was brought in.

Shami pulls Australia back

Earlier, Australia captain Steve Smith (73, 96b, 4×4, 1×6) won a good toss but the batsmen failed to make good use of the smooth DICS pitch and threw away their wickets by committing silly shots.

During his innings, Smith remained the pillar of the Australian innings and participated in three 50-run partnerships – 52 for the second wicket with Travis Head, 56 for the third wicket with Marnus Labuschagne and 54 for the fifth wicket with Alex Carey (61, 57b, 8×4, 1×6).

Australia would have been in a much better position if two of those partnerships had turned into something more substantial. Each of these partnerships fell in line with the game and it started with Head.

India pacer Mohammed Shami excelled with figures of 3-48, as Australia’s innings folded in 49.3 overs.