NEW DELHI: As India gear up to face New Zealand in their final group-stage fixture of the ICC Champions Trophy on March 2, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has dismissed any concerns regarding the fitness of skipper Rohit Sharma and pacer Mohammed Shami.
“Fitness-wise, there are no concerns about anyone missing a game as far as I know,” Rahul assured reporters during a press conference on Friday.
With the semifinals fast approaching, discussions around squad rotation have surfaced.
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Rahul acknowledged the temptation to experiment with different players but remained uncertain about whether India would make changes. “There are temptations to try different players before the semis, but I am not sure that will be the case. There is little time before the semifinals, so you would want players to get maximum game time. This is my perspective, but things could change. I am not part of the leadership group,” he added.
India’s recent victory over Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium means they have now qualified for the semis.
A composed half-century from Shreyas Iyer and impactful bowling from Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya ensured a six-wicket win. However, the match was not without its tense moments, as both Shami and Rohit experienced fitness concerns.
Shami showed signs of discomfort with his ankle early in his spell, leaving the field temporarily before returning to bowl.
He ultimately finished with figures of 0/43 from eight overs. Meanwhile, Rohit appeared to struggle with a hamstring issue following his exuberant celebration of Babar Azam’s wicket.
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He was briefly off the field, handing over leadership duties to vice-captain Shubman Gill before returning for the batting innings.
Despite these scares, India remain confident heading into their clash against New Zealand, looking to solidify their dominance in the tournament.
With momentum on their side and players determined to stay fit, the highly anticipated encounter promises to be a thrilling contest.
