Will Rohit Sharma fit, unlikely to be rested vs New Zealand before Champions Trophy semis, ‘captain’ Shubman Gill has to wait?
Champions Trophy: India’s Road to the Semifinals and Beyond
The Indian cricket team has had their fair share of ups and downs in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy, but with the group stage almost complete, the focus will shift to the knockout stages. With a week-long break between games, India’s next task is to take on New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday, and according to sources, Rohit Sharma is unlikely to be rested for the match.
Fitness Concerns and Recovery
Rohit Sharma, who had limped off the field during the match against Bangladesh, seemed to be struggling with a hamstring issue. However, according to India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, Rohit is "all right" and knows how to manage his injury. "He’s had this injury before, so he knows how to manage it really well," ten Doeschate explained.
Rotation of Bowlers and Schocker
With the quick turnaround between the group stage and the semifinals, the Indian team management will have to make some tough decisions regarding the rotation of bowlers. "We’ve had two pretty tough training sessions, so that’s been the preparation," ten Doeschate said. "In terms of the bench strength, I think the priority is making sure that we have our best guys available and fully fit for the second game."
Will Shubman Gill Get a Chance to Captain?
There were reports of Shubman Gill making his ODI captaincy debut if Rohit is rested, but according to ten Doeschate, it appears that the vice-captain will have to wait for his opportunity. "We want to win against New Zealand as well," ten Doeschate said. "It’s important that we keep that momentum going and obviously top the group as well."
Conclusion
The Indian team will want to maintain their winning momentum by topping the group and heading into the semifinals with confidence. With Rohit Sharma unlikely to be rested, it will be interesting to see how the team management approaches the bowling rotation and whether they make any bold decisions to ensure a strong lineup for the knock-out stages. Shubman Gill will have to wait for his chance to take the reins, but for now, the focus will be on the upcoming matches and the road to the semifinals.
Key Statistics
- Date: Sunday, March 3, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM IST
- Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
- Match: India vs New Zealand, ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Will Rohit Sharma fit, unlikely to be rested vs New Zealand before Champions Trophy semis, ‘captain’ Shubman Gill has to wait?
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