Rohit Sharma might have to sit out against New Zealand in the final Group A encounter against New Zealand in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai after the India captain suffered an injury scare in their win over Pakistan. Rohit Sharma suffered a hamstring pull while chasing a ball against Pakistan last Sunday.
Although he struggled on the field, the India opener couldn’t take much risk before leaving the field at the end of the 26th over of the Pakistan innings. However, he returned to the field at the latter half of the opposition innings and also batted during the chase.
Shubman Gill led India during Rohit Sharma’s absence. Despite the injury, Rohit Sharma looked to be in good spirits and even asked Virat Kohli from the dugout to finish off the game with a boundary.
According to an Indian Express report, the Indian team management is mulling to rest Rohit Sharma against New Zealand. With the semifinal spot already sealed, the final group clash against New Zealand is being treated as a preparation for the Indian team ahead of the semifinals.
Who will lead India against New Zealand?
Given by the hierarchy, Shubman Gill is the perfect choice to lead the Men in Blue in Rohit Sharma’s absence. He had led India in the T20Is against Zimbabwe. If he walks out for the coin toss on Sunday, it will be Shubman Gill’s first ODI as an Indian captain.
Resting Rohit Sharma against New Zealand won’t be a big issue for the Indian team as the 2013 champions and the Kiwis have already booked their places from group A into the semifinals, ahead of tournament hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh.
What led to Rohit Sharma’s fitness concerns?
The concerns about Rohit Sharma’s fitness cropped up when the Indian skipper did not bat in India’s first training session in Dubai, two days after their win over Pakistan. In fact, he was the only batter to not bat at the nets during India’s rigorous training on Wednesday.
He did not take the throwdowns even and spent a lot of time with head coach Gautam Gambhir on the sidelines, discussing the strategies. Although the injury might not be serious, but it is believed that the Indian think-tank do not want to take the risk and give Rohit Sharma a bit more rest ahead of the crucial semifinals.
However, India are still unaware of their semifinal opponents with Australia, Afghanistan and South Africa, all in contention for the final two spots. But irrespective their group standings, India are going to play their semifinal in Dubai on March 4.
