NEW DELHI: India and Australia are set for another high-stakes ICC showdown, this time in the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions Trophy on Tuesday. In a rematch of the 2023 ODI World Cup final, where Australia triumphed, India will look to turn the tables.
One man who has been a thorn in India’s side is Travis Head. From his match-winning century in the World Cup final to his heroics in the World Test Championship decider and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Australian left-hander has relished big moments against India.
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Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has made it clear: Mohammed Shami must get rid of Head early to shift the momentum in India’s favour.
“Three things that Team India needs to do, which will be essential to win against Australia,” Harbhajan said on Star Sports. “The first thing is to overcome the fear of Travis Head and get him out. Shami saab, bahut ho gaya Travis Head ka kaam, ab unko run nahi banane dena hai [Shami sahab, enough of Travis Head, he shouldn’t be allowed to score runs now].”
Head’s numbers against India in ODIs underline the threat he poses. In nine innings, he has amassed 345 runs at an average of 43.12, including a century in the World Cup final. His aggressive approach at the top makes him a game-changer, and Harbhajan believes neutralising him is crucial.
However, Head is not the only Australian batter India must be wary of. Harbhajan identified Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis as two other key players who could turn the game in an instant.
“Their lower-order batters, Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis, are strong hitters and deal in sixes and fours,” he pointed out. “They must not be allowed to score runs quickly.”
Harbhajan also had a word of advice for the Indian team as they step into a do-or-die encounter. While the pressure of a knockout match can be immense, he urged the players to keep things simple.
“The third one is simple — it’s a knockout match, and in a knockout match, one should not try too hard,” he said. “You have to play in the same manner as you have been playing.”
With Head’s track record in crunch games and Australia’s ability to rise to big occasions, India will need to execute Harbhajan’s game plan to perfection. As the two cricketing giants clash once again, the battle between Shami and Head could set the tone for another epic encounter.