India and Australia will clash in the first semi-final of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on March 4. This match will be played in Dubai with both teams looking to win and make it into the summit clash.

Ahead of the blockbuster clash, former India spinner R Ashwin had a word of advice for India captain Rohit Sharma that he should give the new ball to Varun Chakaravarthy against the Australia batters.

Varun Chakravarthy led India's 44-run victory over New Zealand on Sunday. Chakravarthy collected 5 for 42, his first five-wicket haul in just his second one-day international.

“New ball and give it to Varun and ask him to bowl over the stumps to Travis Head. Travis Head shows all his three stumps and then clears his leg and hit it over the field. Varun Chakravarthy with new ball might give India an edge. It will be a mouthwatering contest,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel “Ash Ki Baat.”

Ashwin has said the battle between Travis Head and Varun Chakravarthy will be the key match up in the semifinal.

“I would be very surprised if Travis Head will take on a back seat against Varun. He would love to go aggressive and it will high-risk option. Either he will give Australia a good start or India will get him out cheaply. If Travis Head doesn’t take him on, then keeps Varun on for five overs.

This Australian team has too many right-handedness and for that we have Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. If I am India then I won’t be worried about this bowling line-up of India. Win the toss, and put them to bat. Give them the responsibility to set the total. If we get Travis Head’s wicket then it will be India’s game to control.

If India will bat first, there is no doubt in my mind that India will score above par score unless Spencer Johnson bowls a fiery first spell. India will go in the game as a favourite with this spin choke but Australia will have nothing to lose. “If new ball will be given to Varun then I don’t see Head scoring more,” he said.