March 3, 2025: Ahead of India’s semi-final clash against Australia in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma discussed the team's approach to the match, including their bowling strategy and the challenges posed by the fluctuating weather and pitch conditions.
India's 44-run victory over New Zealand in the final Group A match saw the team field four spinners, a combination that proved effective in the win. However, Rohit acknowledged the challenge of fitting four spinners into the playing XI for the semi-final. He mentioned that the team management would assess the pitch and weather conditions before making a final decision on the bowling lineup.
"Look, the game just got over now. We really need to think, even if we want to play four spinners, how we can squeeze four spinners. If we don't, then we don't. Whatever works for us in terms of the bowling options, we will try and do that," Rohit said during a pre-match press conference. He emphasized the need for flexibility, acknowledging that adapting to the conditions will be crucial.
Rohit further elaborated on the unpredictable nature of the pitches in Dubai, pointing out how the behavior of the surfaces has varied across the three matches India has played. He noted that while the nature of the pitch seemed similar for each game, the ball behaved differently, with some games offering swing and others showing more spin.
"Look, the three matches we played, the nature of the surface was the same. But in all three games, the pitch has behaved differently. We saw that when the bowlers were bowling, their ball was swinging a little. We didn't see that in the first two games when our bowlers were bowling. And in the evening, it's a little cold in the air. So, there are obviously a lot of chances of that swing. We know this," Rohit explained.
The captain also highlighted the challenges faced by batsmen due to variations in pitch conditions, emphasizing the need for adaptability. "Every time, because of the different pitches, the pitch is giving you different challenges as a batsman. We have to think whether it's necessary to play these shots or not. When the bowler is bowling, we saw a little spin today. We didn't see that much spin in the last game," he said.
With the semi-final approaching, Rohit reiterated the uncertainty surrounding which pitch will be used, as several surfaces are in rotation. "Even for us, it is a little bit of a question mark as to which pitch is being played. Because there are four or five surfaces that are being used here. In the semi-final, we don't know which pitch is going to be played. But whatever happens, we have to adapt and see what is happening. We will play on that. This is not our home, this is Dubai. So, we don’t play so many matches here. This is new for us too," he concluded.
As India prepares for their high-stakes encounter against Australia, adapting to the ever-changing conditions in Dubai will be key to their success. Rohit’s strategic approach emphasizes flexibility, focus, and readiness to face whatever challenges come their way in the semi-final.
Last Updated on March 3, 2025 by Disha Rojhe
