As India gears up to face Australia in the high-stakes Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal on March 4 in Dubai, former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has issued some crucial advice to Team India pacer Mohammad Shami regarding Australian opener Travis Head.
Speaking on Star Sports, Harbhajan urged Shami to end Head's dominance. "First thing is, get the fear of Travis Head out of your mind. Try and get Travis Head out. Shami saab, bahut ho gaya Travis Head ka kaam, now don't let him score runs,"
Travis Head has been India's biggest tormentor in recent ICC tournaments. From his match-winning knock in the World Test Championship final 2023 to his blistering century in the ODI World Cup 2023 final and consistent performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Head has caused plenty of trouble for the Indian bowling attack.
Harbhajan also offered a psychological tip for the Indian players don't think of the game as a semifinal. According to him, the pressure of a knockout game often forces players to try too hard, which can backfire. Harbhajan added, "The third one is simple it’s a knockout match, and in a knockout match, one should not try too hard. You have to play in the same manner as you have been playing,"
Travis Head's dismissal key to India's early success
With both teams eyeing a place in the Champions Trophy final, India will be desperate to break the Travis Head jinx. The key to victory lies in executing Harbhajan's blueprint dismiss Head early, contain Australia's middle order, and play without added pressure. The big question is whether Shami will make the big breakthrough
