The Indian cricket team is facing a conundrum regarding whether they should rest some players for the final league match against New Zealand or not. The Indian cricket team captained by Rohit Sharma will play against the Black Caps on March 2, followed by their semi-final match two days later. Resting all or part of the senior players for the upcoming matches would mean they would be fresh for the semis, but the team management does not want to spoil their momentum in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025.
India’s team secured two-on-the-trot victories against Bangladesh and Pakistan, so losing to New Zealand might put them under pressure for the semifinal. The team management knows this, and therefore, nothing is decided as yet. Some reports suggested that Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami might be rested, but KL Rahul at the press conference said, ”That is not the case.”
India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, meanwhile, is adamant that the semifinal match is the top priority but that a balance will also be found. He believes New Zealand’s defeat is key to becoming a team with momentum and stated that the team wishes to enter the semifinals at the top of the table.
“We have had two tough training sessions, so that has been the preparation. For the bench strength, I foresee the priority being to ensure that come March 4, we have our best players available and physically fit to go for the second game (semifinal),” Doeschate told reporters.
“”But we also don’t want to rest them for another two days. So to get that balance right, we might just try to share the bowling out a little bit. But we obviously want to win against New Zealand as well. It’s important that we keep that momentum going. And obviously to top the group as well. So the balance of those two things I just mentioned for the selection to be thought about,” he added.
