Courtesy: BCCI
Ahead of their third and final Group A match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand, which is slated to be played on Sunday, March 2, India might have a big change in their team combination if the reports in the media are to be believed. It is understood that Rohit Sharma suffered a hamstring injury in India’s previous Champions Trophy clash against arch-rivals Pakistan, which is why he might get rested for the upcoming game, and it could lead to Shubman Gill taking the captaincy from him versus New Zealand.
Notably, Shubman Gill, who is the designated vice-captain of the Indian cricket team, has been in exceptional form in ODI cricket in recent times, and it has continued in the ongoing Champions Trophy. After guiding India over the finish line in a tricky run chase at the Dubai International Stadium with an unbeaten hundred versus Bangladesh, he played an expansive innings against Pakistan, a game which the Men in Blue dominated.
Rohit Sharma could get replaced by Rishabh Pant in Indian playing XI against New Zealand
During the contest against Pakistan, Rohit Sharma reportedly suffered a hamstring injury while trying to chase a ball in the early part of the opposition’s innings, and for which, he went off the ground in the 26th over after struggling with it. Following the conclusion of the match, the concerns around the fitness of the Indian captain grew when he didn’t bat in the first training session two days after their recent victory.
Moreover, if Rohit Sharma isn’t able to make the playing XI of the Indian cricket team in two days’ time, then he could get replaced by wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant. But, since the left-hander isn’t an opening batter like Rohit Sharma, the makeshift opener for India could be KL Rahul, who has substantial experience of batting in the top order in all formats of the game.
A win over New Zealand in their third and final Group A match will be enough for India to top the group stage ahead of their opponents, and it could lead to them taking on a comparatively less fancied team from the other group in the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
