Mohammed Shami OUT! MASSIVE Change In India Playing XI Suggested For IND Vs NZ Champions Trophy 2025 Match
Photo : AP
India have already qualified for the semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025 after winning their first two matches of the competition against Bangladesh and Pakistan. The Men in Blue next take on New Zealand in their final Group A match at the Dubai International Stadium on March 2 (Sunday). This might be a dead rubber encounter as both teams have qualified for the semi-final, but India would be looking to win it to go top of the group. Now, former England pacer Darren Gough has suggested India to take a major gamble in the playing XI involving Mohammed Shami.
Mohammed Shami suffered a knock on his ankle after bowling his first three overs in the match against Pakistan. He was then immediately taken off the field after he called for the physio. He then came back to bowl later and looked in much better rhythm.
In an interaction with Hindustan Times, Darren Gough said that India should rest Mohammed Shami against New Zealand after the win vs Pakistan. He suggested that the Men in Blue should bring in another spinner on a turning track in Dubai. He also said that Hardik Pandya can play the role of the second seamer after his brilliant showing vs Pakistan where he picked up two crucial wickets.
"They probably should rest him. They've got the confidence against Pakistan. When you've got a batting lineup like that, you can afford to bring someone else in; bring another spinner in Dubai. The pitch is not as flat as in Lahore, so you can bring another spinner. We saw Hardik Pandya bowling brilliantly, so I would expect India to rest him," Gough said.
'India Will Win Champions Trophy 2025'
Darren Gough also predicted India to go all ahead and win the Champions Trophy 2025. He also predicted South Africa and Afghanistan to become the other two semi-finalists apart from India and New Zealand.
"India and New Zealand have qualified. South Africa, I think, would definitely go. I tipped Afghanistan, and they've got to win now. I think they've got an upset in them. If I were to say who is going to win it, I will say India. They look pretty solid. If you look at their batting, you don't see a weakness," the legendary England pacer added.
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