Australia mull on their team for Champions Trophy semi-final v India after Matt Short injury

A semi-final showdown is shaping as the ultimate Champions Trophy challenge - with India enjoying a dream preparation while an under-manned Australia mull on their latest injury blow.

Australia faces a major selection call on boom-or-bust opener Jake Fraser-McGurk as it prepares to confront an Indian mystery-spinner in a supremely challenging Champions Trophy semi-final.

In just the second ODI of his career, Varun Chakravarthy answered the call of Indian selectors to destroy New Zealand with a five-wicket haul which secured Rohit Sharma’s team a World Cup final rematch against Australia.

India looks set to unleash 33-year-old Chakravarthy again as part of a four-pronged spin bowling blitz as Australia are forced to adjust from the flat wickets of Pakistan to the slow and lower surface in Dubai, where India has been allowed to set up camp for the entire Champions Trophy.

Matthew Short’s (quad) withdrawal from the tournament means Australia needs a new opener, with selectors to decide between Fraser-McGurk or injecting replacement squad member Cooper Connolloy, who could also contribute some overs of left-arm spin.

Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy ran through New Zealand. Picture: Getty

For all the spin bowling chat, selectors must be convinced Fraser-McGurk can handle the new-ball challenge posed by underrated seam king Mohammed Shami before the game is handed over to mystery man Chakravarthy and India’s army of spinners.

“He has got something different about him, so wanted to try and see what he had to offer,” Indian captain Rohit said of the Chakravarthy masterstroke against New Zealand.

“We’ve got to think a little about what to do for the next game, it’s a good headache.

“If he gets it right, it’s very difficult to read him.”

It would be a massive call to drop Chakravarthy after he routed the Black Caps with figures of 5-42 from his 10 overs, as India defended a lowish total of 249 to win easily by 44 runs.

India will start as massive favourites against an Australian side forced to travel under high security around Pakistan while Rohit’s team have been allowed to base themselves out of a luxurious haven in Dubai for the entire tournament.

Jake Fraser-McGurk is in a rough run of form. Picture: Getty

It’s an unfair competition set up by India’s refusal to travel into Pakistan and it will count as a monumental choke if the sub-continental kings don’t claim this Champions Trophy that’s been laid out for them on a platter.

Australia has also not played a full match since defeating England in their first match, following two rained out affairs against South Africa and Afghanistan.

Fraser-McGurk might shape as the most logical replacement for Short at the top of the order, but selectors will be worried about his recent penchant for being dismissed by crafty seam bowlers at the start of his innings.

Shami, who was a major loss for India in the recent Border Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, is a master of seam and swing bowling and will attack Fraser-McGurk’s pads early if he is selected.

However, if Fraser-McGurk can survive the early onslaught Australia know he has the potential to take a game away from an opposition with his powerful stroke play.

Cooper Connolly (C) was not in Australia’s original 15-man squad, but could force his way into the picture. Picture: AFP

Connolly was not in Australia’s original 15-man squad but becomes hard to ignore given he can replicate Short’s ability to provide spin bowling overs in favourable conditions.

Short is a big loss for Australia and they will need a big platform to be set by the top three which includes the experience and class of Travis Head and Steve Smith.

India is wary of Australia, still haunted by the 2023 ODI World Cup final, when India again had all the home ground advantage yet couldn’t capitalise.

Skipper Rohit Sharma said India had to focus on themselves and not on what opponents Australia might bring.

“It will be a good game, Australia has a rich history of playing well in ICC tournaments, but it is about us and what we want to do on that particular day,” Rohit said.

“It will be a great contest, looking forward to that.

“Hopefully we can stitch one towards us.”

Chakravarthy admitted he was shocked to be called in at the last moment to India’s Champions Trophy mission, only told about his selection on the eve of the New Zealand match on Sunday.

“I did feel nervous in the initial stages. I have not played many matches for India in the ODI format but as the game went on I felt better,” he said.

“Virat, Rohit, Shreyas and Hardik were talking to me and that helped.

“It (Dubai wicket) was not a rank turner, but if you bowled in the right places it was giving help.”

Originally published as Australia mull on their team for Champions Trophy semi-final v India after Matt Short injury