Ashwin asks Rohit Sharma to hand new ball to Varun Chakravarthy, predicts mouth-watering contest with Head

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has advised captain Rohit Sharma to give the new ball to Varun Chakravarthy in the Champions Trophy semi-final against Australia. The Tamil Nadu spinner, who played his second ODI against New Zealand, finished with a five-wicket haul to his name. Ahead of the high-octane contest in Dubai, Ashwin has predicted a mouth-watering contest between Varun and India’s biggest perceived threat – Travis Head.

Ashwin wants Chakravarthy to bowl with new ball

In a video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin urged Rohit to hand the new ball to Varun in the CT 2025 semi-final. He suggested that Chakravarthy should be asked to bowl over the stumps to Head with the new ball. Ashwin suggested that the mystery spinner with the new ball might give India an edge in the Champions Trophy semi-final clash.

“New ball and give it to Varun and ask him to bowl over the stumps to Travis Head. 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 mouth watering contest,” Ashwin said.

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Ashwin added that he would be surprised if Head does not take on Chakravarthy. He predicted either Head to go berserk against India or get dismissed cheaply. He further suggested India to win the toss, ask Australia to bat first and get Head dismissed as quick as possible.

“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 good start or India will get him out cheaply. If Travis Head doesn’t take him on, then keeps Varun on for five overs,” Ashwin added.