India are sweating over captain Rohit Sharma‘s fitness as they reportedly nurse a hamstring injury just days before their last Group A match of the Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand. Rohit appeared to have hurt himself while fielding in Dubai’s second game of the tournament against next-door Pakistan.
Rohit was off the field for a bit during the match and during his absence vice-captain Shubman Gill was noticed running the field. Still, the experienced opener came back later to resume control and hit a fast knock at the top of the India successful chase.
Rohit was the sole batter apart from quick bowler Mohammed Shami devoid of swings during India’s training session on Wednesday.
Rohit ran for some time but did not push himself, The Indian Express reports. With a physiotherapist, he worked in conjunction with a strength and conditioning coach.
India already have semifinal qualification and Sunday’s match will determine whether they end Group A top. According to the Champions Trophy structure, a group winner plays the other’s and second best squad.
India will find out their semifinal opponent only after Group B’s games—Australia against Afghanistan, South Africa against England—are complete.
So, under the circumstances, will India risk using Rohit? Their semifinal clash is set for March 2 one day following wherein maybe they will rest their skipper so he can be completely fit for the final and the semifinal in case they advance.
Reports have it that Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar both attended the Wednesday training session, so either of them might replace Rohit’s absence.
India will next have to determine who to join Gill to open the innings against New Zealand. Pant has also opened for India once in ODIs in the past, but KL Rahul is a quality alternative.
