Varun mystery in focus for India vs Australia in Dubai

With less than a 36-hour turnaround since their clinical spin strangulation of New Zealand at the venue, India will hope to keep their rich vein of ODI form going, even as Australia have dominated the Men in Blue in semi-final/final meetings. But with a fresh pitch on offer at the ground, will India continue their newfound four-spinner strategy or fall back on another frontline pacer to assist Mohammed Shami or Hardik Pandya?

The Varun Chakaravarthy gamble

Rohit Sharma’s men will be excited by the prospect of posing Varun Chakaravarthy’s mystery and rely on their current bowling strength – spin – to counter Australia in the vast playing arena in Dubai. India’s four-pronged spin attack made a comparatively below-par total seem a mountain for the in-form New Zealanders to chase on Sunday. While seamer Mohammed Shami has not at been at his prolific best, it is unlikely that India will alter their seam attack while retaining their bolstered spin quartet for the semi-final job.

IND vs AUS Semi-Final LIVE Cricket Score, Full Scorecard: Watch Here

Connolly over JFM?

While Australia have an option of replacing their injured opening all-rounder Matt Short with a hard-hitting bat in Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steve Smith’s men will likely opt for a precautionary spin-bowling all-rounder in Cooper Conolly in the middle-order instead. Wicket-keeper Josh Inglis who smoked his maiden century in Australia’s campaign opener against England in Lahore could then step up fill in the opener’s slot for the big clash.

India predicted playing XI vs Australia: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy

Australia predicted playing XI vs India: Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Steven Smith (capt), Marnus Labuschagne, Cooper Connolly, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa.

India vs Australia Semi-Final Weather-Pitch Report: Check Here

Squads

India Squad: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana.

Australia Squad: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Travis Head, Steven Smith(c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis(w), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson, Sean Abbott, Aaron Hardie, Tanveer Sangha, Cooper Connolly.