Sanjay Manjrekar backs inclusion of four spinners in the Champions Trophy semifinal against Australia

Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes it will make a lot of sense if India play the same playing XI against Australia in the ongoing Champions Trophy, which they did against New Zealand at Dubai on Sunday.

India’s think tank included Varun Chakravarthy in the final XI in place of Harshit Rana. The move paid dividends as Chakravarthy returned with impressive figures of 5-42 in his quota of 10 overs while defending 250. 

The mystery spinner made the most of conditions and he was right on the money against the Kiwis. The Dubai pitch is expected to provide assistance to the spinners and India could have the advantage against Australia if they back the same team.

“I would say that it is the right thing to do. It will be a toss-up between Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy, and when you look at it Gautam Gambhir is one of those guys who goes slightly out of the box. I think four spinners against Australia on a pitch like this makes a lot more sense than two or three medium pacers,” Manjrekar said on ESPN Cricinfo.

Manjrekar reckons Australia would count the overs of spinners if India has 40 overs of spin in the bank.

“We were thinking about how many overs of spin left, and Australia will also be counting the overs of spin. If India have 40 overs of spin, then that is just brilliant. Somehow they will have to make a dent in the batting order in the middle phase, and the spinners can take over,” Manjrekar opined

It would be interesting to note India’s playing XI against Australia and it would certainly be a selection headache for the team as Chakravarthy grabbed his chance with both hands against the Blackcaps.

India will take on Australia in the first semifinal at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Tuesday.