India have reinforced the view they are the world’s best white-ball side at the Champions Trophy over the past 11 days, not that it should be a surprise.
In the aftermath of their victory over New Zealand on Sunday, Black Caps bowler Matt Henry was asked by a journalist whether their opponents should admit India were “smart” in selecting five spinners for this tournament.
Henry did well to hide any bemusement. No other team has had the chance.
That India, after their decision not to travel to Pakistan in this tournament, are playing all of their matches in Dubai is a significant advantage.
They have the best spinners and, without having to change hotel bed or pick up their passports, are able to utilise them where slow bowling averages best, concedes the fewest runs and takes wickets more often compared to any of this tournament’s three other venues.
While the other three semi-finalists have had to balance a squad for the pace of Lahore or the skiddy bounce of Karachi, India have not.
Rohit Sharma’s side fielded three spinners in the first two games and, when the pitches tired further, added a fourth to face New Zealand – architect turned mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy coming in to take 5-42.
This should not take away from the skill of India’s quartet.
Chakravarthy, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav are each world-class in their own right and even their fifth spin option, off-spinner Washington Sundar who is yet to play in the tournament, would stroll into England’s struggling XI.
India may well be too good for Australia – world champions but without their three best quicks – on any surface but Tuesday’s semi-final will be on India’s strip of dry turf.
“Whoever beats India wins, simple,” former England captain Michael Vaughan said.
“I think it’s only the Aussies who could get them but I very much doubt it on the Dubai pitch.”
Yet Australia have an edge in the sides’ recent meetings. A win in an epic Test series this winter, the World Test Championship final in 2023 and, most significantly, the 50-over World Cup final later that year – the most recent meeting in this format.
Confidence will be taken from that day when they chased for victory, playing on India’s tendency to not stretch themselves in the biggest games when batting first.
Rohit Sharma has spent the past two and a half years trying to beat that issue out of his side. It also resurfaced in last year’s T20 World Cup final, although they went on to win.
“They will back themselves to chase anything but if they bat first it could all end up in a heap,” former England spinner Alex Hartley said.
“They might panic against the spinners and be bowled out really cheaply but if they are chasing they’ve got the mindset to dig in.”