Rohit Sharma given strict orders on how to stop Travis Head in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final

Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has come up with a piece of advice for India captain Rohit Sharma to get out Travis Head early in the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He suggested that the skipper should introduce Varun Chakravarthy in the powerplay. 

Australia batter Travis Head, in the last few years, has given a massive headache to the India team, especially in the big matches. The batter will be up against Rohit Sharma-led side once again but this time in the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will take place on 4th March at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. 

Travis Head, no doubt, will be one of the talking points for the Indian think tank ahead of the semi-final. This is because whenever he plays against India, he always sets the stage on fire and takes the game away from the opposition, as was the case in the ICC World Cup 2023 final and the ICC World Test Championship final 2023. 

Travis Head enjoys playing against India, and this time around, too, he would be fancying himself to get a big score. The batter arguably has given sleepless nights to India captain Rohit Sharma, who surely would've made some plans to counter the threat. 

If a new ball will be given to Varun, then I don’t see Head scoring more - Ravichandran Ashwin 

With the India vs Australia semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 around the corner, Ravichandran Ashwin has suggested India's ways to stop Travis Head. He said that the batter shows his three stumps, and Varun Chakravarthy, with a new ball, might trouble the batter big time.

"Travis Head shows all his three stumps and then clears his leg and hits it over the field. Varun Chakravarthy, with a new ball, might give India an edge. It will be a mouth-watering contest. I would be very surprised if Travis Head takes on a back seat against Varun. He would love to go aggressive, and it will be a high-risk option." 

Ravichandran Ashwin added that Travis Head won't be able to score big if Varun Chakravarthy bowls in powerplay. He stressed that either the batter will good start or India will remove him cheaply. 

"Either he will give Australia a good start, or India will get him out cheaply. If Travis Head doesn’t take him on, then keep Varun on for five overs. If a new ball will be given to Varun, then I don’t see Head scoring more,” he said.