DUBAI: Australia’s hopes of advancing to the Champions Trophy final will depend heavily on how well their batters counter India’s potent spin attack, according to captain Steve Smith. With a semi-final clash against India scheduled for Tuesday in Dubai, Smith emphasized the importance of tackling India’s spinners, especially after Varun Chakravarthy’s match-winning 5-42 performance in the Group A match against New Zealand.
Smith acknowledged the quality of India’s spin attack, saying, “It’s not just Chakravarthy, I think the rest of the spinners are quality as well. The game’s probably won and lost on how we play this spin, particularly in the middle overs. It’s going to be a challenge, and we’ll need to get through those overs.”
The pitch at the Dubai International Stadium, which has favored spinners throughout the tournament, is expected to pose a significant challenge for Australia’s batters. However, Australia has a plan in place, with options including leg-spinner Adam Zampa, although he admitted to underperforming in the tournament so far.
Read more: Adam Zampa Aims for Top Form Ahead of India Semi-Final
Smith expressed confidence in his squad’s depth, mentioning part-time options like Tanveer Sangha, Glenn Maxwell, and Travis Head, who could play key roles with the ball if needed. “We have plenty of options there. I hope I won’t have to bowl, but we’ve got a lot of part-time options that could certainly play a role,” Smith added.
India, having played all their matches in Dubai due to political tensions with Pakistan, remain unbeaten in the tournament and will be a tough opponent for Australia in what promises to be a gripping semi-final.
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