Shubman Gill to Lead India in ODIs Against New Zealand

Published on: February 28, 2025

Shubman Gill to Lead India in ODIs Against New Zealand

Shubman Gill to Lead India Amidst Rohit Sharma’s Injury Concerns

India’s campaign at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been impressive so far, securing a place in the semifinals with consecutive victories. However, as they prepare for their final Group A match against New Zealand in Dubai, the team management might have to make crucial decisions regarding the playing XI due to injury concerns.

Rohit Sharma’s Hamstring Injury Raises Concerns

The biggest worry for Team India ahead of the New Zealand clash is Rohit Sharma’s fitness. The regular Indian captain suffered a potential hamstring strain during India’s high-voltage match against Pakistan on February 23. The incident occurred early in Pakistan’s innings while Rohit was chasing a ball. Though he returned to the field after a brief break, he appeared uncomfortable throughout the game.

According to an Indian Express report, Rohit was notably absent from India’s batting practice during their training session on Wednesday. While most of the squad participated in intense net sessions, Rohit was seen engaging in discussions with head coach Gautam Gambhir and other team officials. He also underwent light jogging exercises, indicating that the team is monitoring his condition carefully.

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Given that the match against New Zealand is a group-stage fixture and India has already secured a semifinal berth, the team management might choose to rest Rohit to ensure he is fully fit for the crucial knockout game on March 4.

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Shubman Gill to Make ODI Captaincy Debut

If Rohit is indeed rested, vice-captain Shubman Gill will take over as India’s captain for the match against New Zealand, marking his debut as an ODI captain. At just 24 years old, Gill has already shown immense promise, both as a batsman and a leader. He previously captained India in the T20I series against Zimbabwe in 2024, gaining valuable leadership experience.

Gill has been in exceptional form in the Champions Trophy so far. He smashed a century against Bangladesh, showcasing his ability to dominate bowling attacks, and followed it up with a solid 46-run knock against Pakistan, playing a crucial role in India’s victories. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed makes him a vital asset at the top of the order.

Who Will Open With Gill in Rohit’s Absence?

One of the biggest questions in case Rohit Sharma is rested is who will open the innings alongside Shubman Gill? Several options are available, but each comes with its own set of considerations.

1. KL Rahul – The Natural Choice

KL Rahul is the most experienced and technically sound batter who has previously opened for India in white-ball cricket. He has had success in the role, often providing solid starts. However, in recent years, he has been playing as a middle-order batter and wicketkeeper in ODIs. If the team management promotes him to the opening slot, it could leave a gap in the middle order.

2. Rishabh Pant – The Aggressive Alternative

Rishabh Pant is another potential option. The wicketkeeper-batter has opened in T20Is before and has a naturally aggressive style that can put the opposition on the back foot early. However, he is usually deployed in the middle order, where he can take on spinners and accelerate in the latter stages of the innings. If Pant opens, India will have to tweak its batting combination in the middle overs.

3. Washington Sundar – A Surprise Contender

A left-field option could be Washington Sundar. While primarily known as an all-rounder, Sundar has experience opening the batting in domestic cricket and age-group tournaments. His ability to handle pace and spin, combined with his off-spin bowling, could offer India an extra dimension in team balance. However, his inclusion as an opener would be a bold experiment.

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India’s Strategy Against New Zealand

Although India has already qualified for the semifinals, the match against New Zealand still holds significance. Winning this game would allow India to finish as Group A winners, potentially giving them a more favorable semifinal opponent.
However, with only one rest day before the semifinal on March 4, India must manage their players’ workload carefully.

If Rohit Sharma is rested, it will be an opportunity for Shubman Gill to showcase his leadership abilities at the highest level. Gill’s captaincy will be under scrutiny, especially in handling bowling changes, field placements, and DRS decisions.

Bowling Attack and Possible Changes

Apart from the batting lineup, the bowling attack might also see some changes. India has relied on its pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami, along with all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja. However, given the short turnaround time before the semifinal, India might consider resting one of its frontline pacers to keep them fresh.

Potential Bowling Changes:

• Mukesh Kumar or Shardul Thakur could replace either Siraj or Shami to manage their workload.
• Kuldeep Yadav, India’s leading wrist-spinner, will likely retain his spot, as spin could play a crucial role on the Dubai pitch.
• Washington Sundar could also be brought in to add variety to the spin department if India decides to tweak their combination.

A Leadership Test for Shubman Gill

While the match against New Zealand is still a group-stage fixture, it will serve as a big test for Shubman Gill as a leader. Captaincy in ODIs requires a mix of tactical awareness, decision-making skills, and man-management abilities. With senior players like Virat Kohli and KL Rahul in the team, Gill will have support, but the ultimate responsibility of guiding the team will rest on his shoulders.

Conclusion

As India gears up for their final Group A match against New Zealand, the focus will be on Rohit Sharma’s injury status and how the team manages player workload ahead of the crucial semifinals. If Shubman Gill leads the team, it will mark a new milestone in his young career. Fans will be eager to see how he handles the pressure of captaincy and whether India can maintain their winning momentum heading into the knockout stage.

With multiple questions regarding team selection, bowling rotation, and the opening combination, the match against New Zealand promises to be a fascinating contest that could set the tone for India’s title aspirations in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.