Rohit injured his hamstring while running after a ball in Pakistan's innings of India's second Group A match on Sunday
Rishabh Pant to Replace Injured Rohit Sharma; Shubman Gill Can Make ODI Captaincy Debut latest news: Rishabh Pant is likely to replace injured regular captain Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill can make his ODI captaincy debut for India during the Champions Trophy Group A match against New Zealand.
Rohit injured his hamstring while running after a ball in Pakistan's innings of India's second Group A match on Sunday, February 23. He battled with it and finally retired hurt at the end of the 26th over.
The vice-captain appointed, Shubman Gill, took over and led India briefly. Rohit came back to the field after a few overs to continue his leadership role, but he didn't look to be fully fit. Worries regarding Rohit's fitness were heightened when he didn't bat in India's first practice session in Dubai on Wednesday, only two days after their win over Pakistan.
Throughout the intense training session, Rohit was the sole Indian batsman who did not hit the nets or have throwdowns. He instead spent a lot of time talking about strategy with head coach Gautam Gambhir.
The lone reassuring sign was the short sprint that Rohit ran, indicating that though the injury may not be bad enough to affect India's Champions Trophy ambitions, it could make them keep him out of the New Zealand game.
The game against New Zealand is of little importance to the tournament's scheme of things, as the two teams already have their respective semi-final confirmations. The sole motivation remains winning Group A. Another overriding reason for potentially keeping Rohit on the sidelines is the single-day break in between the game against New Zealand and India's semi-final next Tuesday (March 4).
Regardless of India's position, they are scheduled to play the inaugural semi-final in Dubai, since the other semi-final is in Pakistan, and India will not be traveling there.
If Rohit Sharma is actually absent or rested as a precaution, he will more likely be replaced by either Rishabh Pant or Washington Sundar.
Both left-handers spent long hours in the nets, something they hadn't done prior to any of the earlier matches in Dubai. Interestingly, India lacks an opening batsman as a reserve in their team. In a surprise move, they replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal with spinner Varun Chakaravarthy in a last-minute switch.
Although KL Rahul has experience opening the batting, pushing him up to open would upset the established batting order, where he has been in the middle order for the last two years. Pant, with his experience of opening in the shorter formats, could be the aggressor in the powerplay, similar to Rohit.
Shubman Gill's Captaincy Record
Gill's captaincy became even more prominent after he was entrusted with leadership responsibilities by IPL franchise Gujarat Titans before last year's season.
He led a young Indian team in five T20Is in Zimbabwe, guiding them to a 4-1 series win. Most of the regular choice players were given a break from the tour since it followed India's victory in the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. Gill's rise as the next ODI captain became apparent when he was elevated to vice-captain for the England home series and then the Champions Trophy.
Rohit Sharma highlighted Gill's exceptional form in 50-over cricket, which saw him achieve the No.1 ranking, as a key reason for his elevation in the leadership group. Gill, who has been in magnificent touch in the tournament with his century against Bangladesh and 46 against Pakistan, visited a closed nets session on Thursday to perfect his game.
With the semi-finals awaiting India, focus will be on the young captain and the dressing room as the team looks for Champions Trophy laurels.
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