Having won both their matches convincingly in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India are already into the semifinals, allowing them to give their bench strength a test in the Group A match against New Zealand in Dubai on March 2.
India can go top of the table if they beat the Kiwis, with the match between England and South Africa today deciding the semifinal match-up. Though the Indian batters and bowlers have been in fine form in the wins against Bangladesh and Pakistan, there was an injury scare to their skipper Rohit Sharma.
ICC Champions Trophy: Will Rohit Sharma play the India-New Zealand match?
The Indian skipper hurt his hamstring while chasing a ball during Pakistan's innings on February 23. He had to leave the field at the end of the 26th over, and returned after around 20 minutes. He came out to open too during India’s chase, scoring some quick runs before being bowled for 20 by Shaheen Shah Afridi, and did not look in any visible discomfort.
VIDEO | The Indian cricket team left the ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai amid much fanfare after their final practice session before the match against New Zealand on Sunday. Virat Kohli and Hardik obliged some lucky fans with autographs.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 28, 2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos-… pic.twitter.com/WlF3jmvtz4
But, with the match against New Zealand being an effective dead rubber, India might be tempted to rest Sharma, with Shubman Gill making his debut as captain.
India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said that Sharma is fine. “You can see he's batting a little bit further than earlier. It's an injury he's had before, so he knows how to manage it really well.”
ICC Champions Trophy: Will Rishabh Pant replace Rohit Sharma in the India-New Zealand clash?
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If India decide to rest Sharma ahead of the semifinal, they are likely to bring in Rishabh Pant to the playing XI. The flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter has been watching from the sidelines as KL Rahul has been India’s first-choice stumper, who is yet to get a chance to bat in the tournament.
ten Doeschate acknowledged that while it has been hard for Pant to sit out, "that's the nature of sport at this level". "KL has been good. He didn't get many chances... we've got to keep Rishabh up and running. We never know when we're going to need him. But certainly to have two wicket-keepers of that calibre is a nice thing to have."
Mohammed Shami, too, might be rested because of a calf niggle, with left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh likely to get a look-in.
