India vs New Zealand Predicted Playing 11: The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group stage is set for an intense finish as India take on New Zealand in their final Group A match on Sunday (March 2) at the Dubai International Stadium. While both teams have already secured a place in the semi-finals, this match will determine the group topper and their opponent in the knockouts.
Despite talk of a “dead rubber”, the stakes remain high, as both teams want to maintain winning momentum heading into the semi-finals on March 4 and 5. The match also presents an opportunity to test bench strength, but teams must be careful not to disrupt their rhythm.
India Weighing Rotations; Rohit and Shami Could Be Rested
India are expected to make at least one change to their playing XI. While the team management has assured that there are no major injury concerns, Rohit Sharma (hamstring strain) and Mohammed Shami (ankle issue) had brief stints off the field in the Pakistan game.
In Friday’s press conference, KL Rahul emphasized that the team was fully fit, but reports suggest that Shami could be rested, with Arshdeep Singh likely replacing him. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate hinted that India want to strike a balance between keeping players fresh and maintaining form.
“The priority is making sure we have our best guys available and fully fit for the semi-final. But we also don’t want to rest them for too long. 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,” said Ten Doeschate.
On Rohit Sharma, the assistant coach sounded optimistic, saying, “He’s all right. You can see he’s batting a little bit further than earlier. It’s an injury he’s had before, so he knows how to manage it really well.”
Will Varun Chakaravarthy Get a Chance?
There is also speculation over whether Varun Chakaravarthy will feature in the XI. The in-form spinner is yet to play in the tournament, but Kuldeep Yadav’s three-wicket haul against Pakistan has cemented his place for the semi-final. Dropping Kuldeep could disrupt his rhythm, making Chakaravarthy’s inclusion unlikely unless an all-rounder is rested.
India’s Predicted Playing XI vs New Zealand
If India opt for changes, they are likely to be minimal. Arshdeep Singh is expected to replace Shami, while the batting lineup should remain unchanged.
Likely XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh.
With the top spot in Group A on the line, India will be aiming for a commanding performance to head into the semi-finals in prime form.