In what could mark a significant moment in Indian cricket, Shubman Gill is expected to take over captaincy duties for India's final Champions Trophy 2025 Group A encounter against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday. Reports suggest that Rohit Sharma, India's regular skipper, might be rested due to a hamstring injury sustained during the clash against Pakistan.
Rohit Sharma’s Injury Raises Concerns
Rohit suffered the injury early in Pakistan's innings on February 23, while chasing the ball. Though he returned to the field after a brief break, discomfort was evident, especially towards the end of the 26th over. According to sources, Rohit did not participate in India’s first training session in Dubai on Wednesday, fueling speculation about his availability.
Reports indicate that Rohit was the only Indian batter who did not bat in the nets, skipping even basic throwdowns. Instead, he engaged in lengthy strategy discussions with head coach Gautam Gambhir. While Rohit did complete a light sprint, signaling that the injury may not be severe, the team management is considering resting him as a precautionary measure ahead of the crucial semi-final on March 4.
A Chance for Shubman Gill to Lead
With Gill serving as the designated vice-captain, he is likely to step up as India’s leader for the inconsequential yet strategic final group match. India and New Zealand have already secured their places in the semi-finals, making this fixture an opportunity to experiment with leadership and squad rotation. The match will, however, determine who tops Group A.
Gill, who previously captained a young Indian side during a five-match T20I series in Zimbabwe, has been viewed as a future leader for the team. Under his captaincy, India registered a 4-1 series win. His leadership credentials were further reinforced when he was named vice-captain for the England series and later retained the role for the Champions Trophy.
Who Could Replace Rohit Sharma?
Should Rohit Sharma sit out the match, the team management faces a key selection dilemma in finding an opening partner for Shubman Gill. With no backup opener in the squad—following the last-minute omission of Yashasvi Jaiswal for spinner Varun Chakaravarthy—India may have to make tactical adjustments.
Possible replacements include:
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Rishabh Pant – The left-hander has prior experience opening in T20 cricket and can provide aggressive starts in the powerplay.
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Washington Sundar – The all-rounder has opened for India in white-ball cricket before.
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KL Rahul – Though a seasoned opener, Rahul has been an integral part of India's middle order in recent years. Pushing him up the order may disrupt the existing batting combination.
Pant and Sundar reportedly spent extra time in the nets, signaling they could be potential candidates for the role.
Gill’s Stellar Form in the Tournament
Gill has been in outstanding form throughout the Champions Trophy, delivering a century against Bangladesh and a well-composed 46 against Pakistan. He further fine-tuned his skills during a private net session on Thursday, highlighting his commitment to taking on leadership responsibilities effectively.
India’s Semi-Final Prospects
Regardless of Sunday's result, India is scheduled to play the first semi-final in Dubai on March 4. Due to political considerations, the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan, where the second semi-final will be hosted. Their opponent is yet to be determined, as Australia, Afghanistan, and South Africa are still vying for the Group B qualification spots.
With an eye on the bigger challenge ahead, the Indian team management appears inclined to rest Rohit Sharma, ensuring he is fully fit for the knockout stages. The final call on the playing XI is expected to be made closer to the match.
Stay tuned for more updates on India's Champions Trophy campaign
