The Indian Express reported that Rohit left the field after 26 overs while fielding but later returned to lead the team. However, concerns about his fitness grew when he was the only Indian batter to skip net practice on Wednesday, February 27. Instead, he spent time discussing strategy with head coach Gautam Gambhir while undergoing light training.
Shubman Gill to Lead India in Rohit’s Absence
With India already qualified for the semi-finals, the team management is considering resting Rohit Sharma to ensure he is fully fit for the knockout stage. If Rohit is rested, vice-captain Shubman Gill is set to lead the Indian team for the first time in ODIs.
Gill, 24, was appointed India’s vice-captain for the Champions Trophy 2025 when the provisional squad was announced on January 18. Though he has never captained India in ODIs, he led a young Indian team to a 4-1 T20I series victory against Zimbabwe in July 2024.
Shubman Gill’s Captaincy Record
| Format | Matches Captained | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| ODI | 0 | – | – |
India’s Possible Playing XI vs New Zealand
With Rohit Sharma potentially missing the match, India’s playing XI could see significant changes.
Possible Playing XI Without Rohit Sharma:
| Position | Player Name |
| Opener | Shubman Gill (C) |
| Opener | KL Rahul |
| No. 3 | Virat Kohli |
| No. 4 | Shreyas Iyer |
| No. 5 | Suryakumar Yadav |
| No. 6 | Rishabh Pant (WK) |
| No. 7 | Ravindra Jadeja |
| No. 8 | Kuldeep Yadav |
| No. 9 | Jasprit Bumrah |
| No. 10 | Mohammed Siraj |
| No. 11 | Arshdeep Singh |
Read Also:- Shubman Gill Captaincy Record in All Formats
Why Is Rohit Sharma Being Rested?
- Fitness Concerns: Rohit suffered a hamstring injury during the Pakistan match and hasn’t practiced since.
- Upcoming Semi-Final: India plays its semi-final on March 4, just two days after the New Zealand match.
- Already Qualified: India and New Zealand have already secured their semi-final berths, making this match inconsequential in terms of qualification.
- Team Balance: India lacks a backup opener after dropping Yashasvi Jaiswal, so KL Rahul may be pushed to open.
India’s Journey in Champions Trophy 2025 So Far
| Match | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Bangladesh | India won by 6 wickets |
| Group A | Pakistan | India won by 6 wickets |
| Group A | New Zealand | March 2 (Upcoming Match) |
What’s Next for India in the Champions Trophy?
- Semi-Final: India will play its semi-final match on March 4 in Dubai.
- Final: If India qualifies, the final will be held on March 7.
- Potential Opponents: Australia, Afghanistan, and South Africa are competing for the two semi-final spots from Group B.
With India already in the semi-finals, resting Rohit Sharma seems like a wise decision. Shubman Gill’s leadership will be under the spotlight as he gears up to captain India for the first time in an ODI match. Whether India maintains its winning streak or New Zealand takes the upper hand, the March 2 match will be crucial in assessing India’s squad depth before the semi-finals.
Stay tuned for all the latest updates on India’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign!
