ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Ashwin Backs Chakravarthy to Dismantle Travis Head, Suggests Rohit Sharma Hand Him the New Ball

Ashwin’s Tactical Call: Can Varun Chakravarthy Outfox Travis Head in the Semi-Final

The highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final between India and Australia is set to unfold at the Dubai International Stadium. Both teams have a rich history of intense battles in ICC tournaments, but this time, former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin believes the contest could be shaped by one crucial match-up: Travis Head vs Varun Chakravarthy.

In his latest analysis, Ashwin has suggested that Indian captain Rohit Sharma should make a bold tactical move by handing the new ball to mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy. Given Head’s aggressive style of play and his penchant for attacking bowlers early, Ashwin sees a potential opportunity for India to disrupt Australia’s plans.

Why Varun Chakravarthy With the New Ball

Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, emphasized how Head’s approach of clearing his front leg and targeting bowlers in the powerplay could be countered by Chakravarthy’s unpredictable spin.

“Give the new ball to Varun and ask him to bowl over the stumps to Travis Head. Head shows all his three stumps and then clears his leg to hit over the field. Varun Chakravarthy with the new ball might give India an edge,” Ashwin explained.

This suggestion stems from Chakravarthy’s success in recent matches. The Tamil Nadu spinner recently picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs against New Zealand, showcasing his ability to trouble batters even in 50-over cricket. His unconventional bowling style makes him a challenging proposition, especially with a hard, shiny ball offering greater grip and turn.

The Head vs Chakravarthy Showdown: A Battle of High Stakes

Travis Head has been a tormentor for India in recent years. His ability to take the game away in crucial matches has made him Australia’s X-factor. From his match-winning century in the 2023 ODI World Cup final to his consistent performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Head has frequently outclassed India’s bowling attack.

However, Ashwin believes that Head’s natural aggressive instinct could be his downfall against Chakravarthy.

“I would be very surprised if Travis Head plays cautiously against Varun. He would love to attack, and it will be a high-risk, high-reward strategy. Either he will give Australia a flying start, or India will get him out cheaply,” Ashwin added.

If India wins the toss and opts to bowl first, Chakravarthy could be introduced immediately to test Head’s patience. A few early dots might push the Australian opener into taking risks, which could work in India’s favor.

Chakravarthy’s Meteoric Rise and Match-Winning Form

Varun Chakravarthy has emerged as one of India’s most potent spin weapons in white-ball cricket. His ability to deceive batters with his variations and unpredictable turn has been his biggest strength.

His recent performances underline his growing stature. Chakravarthy’s five-wicket haul against New Zealand in the group stage of the Champions Trophy turned heads, and his ability to deliver under pressure earned him the Player of the Match award. Prior to the tournament, he also dominated in the T20I series against England, finishing as the highest wicket-taker.

His form has been so impressive that he was a late addition to India’s ODI squad for the Champions Trophy. Ashwin, who knows Chakravarthy well from their Tamil Nadu cricketing days, sees him as a game-changer against Australia.

India’s Spin Strategy: A New Blueprint Against Australia

Spin has often played a decisive role in India-Australia encounters, and the conditions in Dubai could further amplify its impact. The semi-final pitch is expected to assist spinners, making India’s choice of bowling attack even more crucial.

Apart from Chakravarthy, India has Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja in their ranks. While Jadeja’s all-round capabilities make him a certainty in the XI, the inclusion of both Kuldeep and Chakravarthy could be a masterstroke to counter Australia’s batting firepower.

Australia, on the other hand, has historically struggled against wrist spinners in subcontinental conditions. While Head has been dominant against pace and traditional finger spin, mystery spin remains a potential vulnerability.

Will Rohit Sharma Take Ashwin’s Advice

The big question remains: Will Rohit Sharma implement Ashwin’s tactical suggestion? Historically, India has been conservative in using spinners with the new ball in ODIs. However, with the stakes high and Head posing a massive threat, an unorthodox approach could be the need of the hour.

If Chakravarthy gets the new ball and manages to dismiss Head early, it could set the tone for the rest of the match. Australia’s batting lineup is deep, but losing an in-form Head cheaply would be a significant psychological boost for India.

As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the semi-final showdown, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma’s decision-making. Will he take the gamble and unleash Chakravarthy early, or will India stick to their conventional strategy? One thing is certain the Head vs Chakravarthy battle will be one of the most exciting subplots of this high-stakes encounter.