Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh slams Rohit Sharma's decision of the late introduction of Varun Chakravarthy into the bowling during ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal against Australia at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. Chakravarthy came to bowl when Travis Head had already started smashing speedster Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya.
Chakravarthy, added to India's squad after Jasprit Bumrah ruled out, came into the playing XI during India's third league match against New Zealand. After picking a fifer against New Zealand, he was added in India's playing XI against Australia. Adding Varun in the playing XI was as masterstroke for India as he picked up Head's wicket.
Harbhajan feels that Chakravarthy should have bowled with the new ball to counter Head in the semifinals.
“When you have Varun Chakarvarthy, why would you wait for nine overs to bring him on against Travis Head? What’s the point of having him, then? The Indian team should have started with him at one end and Shami at the other," Harbhajan said while speaking on Star Sports.
“He (Head) got set, and then Varun was brought on. Those 49 runs could prove to be the difference," Harbhajan added during the mid-innings show.
However, Chakarvarthy picked Head's wicket and India registered a four wicket win against Australia to seal their berth for the final. The ICC Champion s Trophy final will take place in Dubai. India's opponent for the final will be decided after the semifinal 2 of the tournament between South Africa and New Zealand which will take place at Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore.
