India will take on New Zealand in their final league game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on March 2 at the Dubai International Stadium. With two wins in two games, India are comfortably placed in the points table and almost certain to make it to the semifinal. They defeated Pakistan by six wickets in the previous game. Virat Kohli scored a hundred and helped India chase 242 with ease.

India could make a few changes to the playing XI for the final game due to injuries in the camp. Captain Rohit Sharma was struggling with a niggle in the Pakistan clash and it is yet to be seen if he attains peak fitness before the New Zealand clash. If Rohit is not fit, he could be replaced by Rishabh Pant. India could promote KL Rahul as an opener in the match. India can afford to rest Rohit Sharma if he is not fully fit as they almost have a foot in the semifinal.

Another injury concern was Mohammed Shami who did look in some discomfort against Pakistan. Shami has a long history of injuries and if there are any fitness concerns with him, India won't risk him ahead of the knockouts, especially when Jasprit Bumrah is not around. If Shami is unfit, India can replace him with Arshdeep Singh. Even if he is fit, there is a good chance India can give Arshdeep a shot in the XI to give him some game time.

India's Likely XI vs New Zealand

In case Rohit is unfit, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill will open the innings. Virat Kohli will bat at three, followed by Shreyas Iyer at four. Rishabh Pant will fit in at number five and Hardik Pandya will bat at six. There should not be any changes in India's spin trio and all of Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav should find a place. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana should be the two pacers.

India's Likely XI vs New Zealand: Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana

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