Ravichandran Ashwin Makes Semi-Final Prediction: 'Maxwell Will Get Out To Kuldeep'

Ravichandran Ashwin believes that India will be overwhelming favourites in the semi-final against a depleted Australian side, and is of the opinion that spin might get the better of the Aussies just like how it floored New Zealand.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin gave a few cheeky semi-final predictions, one of them being Glenn Maxwell getting out to Kuldeep Yadav. Maxwell, in ODIs, strikes at 143.5 against Kuldeep but has been dismissed by the wrist-spinner 3 times, including in the pair’s last H2H meeting at the 2023 ODI World Cup in Chennai.

“I feel like India are gonna strike back-to-back ICC titles. I’ll tell you this: Glenn Maxwell is not going to pick Varun Chakaravarthy and Maxwell will eventually get out to Kuldeep Yadav,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

He further opined that, for Australia to overcome the Indian juggernaut, the Kangaroos will need Travis Head to go berserk in the first powerplay.

“The only way Australia can make a game out of the semi-final is if Travis Head goes berserk in the first 10 overs. Head vs Varun is the battle I’m looking forward to,” Ashwin said.

But to combat the Head threat, the former India off-spinner wants the Men in Blue to open the bowling with Varun Chakaravarthy, who is fresh off a five-fer against New Zealand. 

“I’ll give the new ball to Varun as soon as Head takes strike,” Ashwin said. 

“Don’t even give Head the option of pace, give it to Varun right away. I’ll give Head the challenge of combating spin in the first 10 overs. That will be my tactic.” 

India will face Australia in Dubai on March 4 (Tuesday). It was in 2011 that India last beat Australia in an ICC knockout game. However, at the 2024 T20 World Cup, the Men in Blue triumphed easily over the Kangaroos in the Super 8s. That loss knocked Australia out of the competition.