ICC Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma likely to sit out of the India vs New Zealand fixture

India has fared well in securing a semi-final qualification with two consecutive victories in the group stage of the ICC Champions Trophy. The team is firing on all cylinders as they appear to be the ones to beat at the marquee event. However, their final group-stage encounter remains, where they face fellow semi-finalists New Zealand. The India vs New Zealand match in Dubai is crucial in the sense where the standings will determine the qualification order for both teams. Currently, India sits at the top of the Group A rankings. However, according to the latest updates from the Indian camp in Dubai, they might have to play this fixture without skipper Rohit Sharma.

Rohit Sharma likely to miss the India vs New Zealand clash due to a hamstring injury

Rohit Sharma reportedly sustained a hamstring injury while fielding during the India vs Pakistan clash on Sunday. Despite the week-long gap between their fixtures, it appears that neither Rohit nor the management is eager to push through the discomfort. While it is a crucial fixture from the tournament's perspective, the skipper might opt for a break, given that India has already secured a spot in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals. Scenes from the India vs Pakistan match showed Sharma leaving the field in the 26th over of the first innings.

The India vs Pakistan fixture, a make-or-break opportunity for the hosts, saw Mohammad Rizwan opting to bat first in Dubai. The skipper, along with Saud Shakeel, waded patiently through the middle overs after Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq departed early in the innings. During this period, Rohit Sharma appeared to be in discomfort and left the field for some time. In his absence, vice-captain Shubman Gill took charge on the field.

However, Rohit returned after a while and opened the chase with Gill, hitting three fours and a six before Shaheen Afridi bowled him out for 20 off 15 balls. India cruised through the chase seamlessly as Virat Kohli regained his form, unsurprising in an India vs Pakistan fixture. The chase was completed in the 43rd over, with Kohli sealing both the victory and his 82nd international ton with a boundary off Khushdil Shah.

However, now, as India prepares to face New Zealand, who also come into the match with dominant victories over Pakistan and Bangladesh, Sharma could sit out of the fixture. Concerns over his fitness escalated when the captain chose not to bat during India’s first training session in Dubai on Wednesday, just two days after their victory against Pakistan. According to multiple reports, Rohit was the only Indian batter who skipped batting in the nets during what was an intense practice session. The Indian skipper refrained from even taking throwdowns, instead spending considerable time discussing strategies with head coach Gautam Gambhir.

The only positive takeaway from the session was a brief sprint by Rohit, hinting that the injury might not be severe enough to derail India's ICC Champions Trophy campaign. However, it could still warrant resting him for the upcoming clash against New Zealand. Sunday’s match holds little significance in terms of tournament progression, with both India and New Zealand already securing their semi-final spots. The only stake at play is the battle for the top spot in Group A.

Likely replacements of Rohit Sharma in the India Playing XI for the ICC Champions Trophy fixture

Another key factor prompting India to consider resting Rohit is the tight schedule, a mere one-day gap between their fixture against New Zealand and the semi-final on March 4. Regardless of standings, India is confirmed to play the first semi-final in Dubai, as the second semi-final is set to take place in Pakistan, where India will not travel. The 2013 Champions Trophy winners are still awaiting confirmation of their semi-final opponent, with Australia, Afghanistan, and South Africa all in contention from Group B. The outcome of the Australia vs Afghanistan clash, scheduled for Friday will play a crucial role in determining that.

Should Rohit be unavailable or if the team management opts to rest him as a precaution for the semi-final, his replacement could be either Rishabh Pant or Washington Sundar. Both left-handers reportedly put in extended practice sessions in the nets, something they hadn't done before any of India's previous matches in Dubai. Notably, India does not have a backup opener in their squad, having replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal with spinner Varun Chakaravarthy in a last-minute change.

KL Rahul is an option, given his extensive experience as an opener. Promoting Rahul to the top could create space for Rishabh Pant in the middle order, allowing him to bat above Axar Patel, something KL has not been doing due to the management’s preference for a left-right combination. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill, the vice-captain, who has been in sublime form with a century against Bangladesh and a crucial 46 against Pakistan, could take on the captaincy mantle in his skipper’s absence.