Contrary to expectations, India rested young fast bowler Harshit Rana and added Varun Chakravarthy to the playing XI for their final Group A game of Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand. Varun was added late to the Champions Trophy squad, but he warned the benches in India’s wins over Bangladesh and Pakistan. Having already sealed a spot in the semi-finals, India opted to test their bench strength.
It was widely expected that senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who has been struggling with fitness concerns, would be rested and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh would play in his place. | IND vs NZ, Updates |
However, India opted to go in with four spinners and only a lone specialist fast bowler in Mohammed Shami. Hardik Pandya, the medium pace-bowling all-rounder, will handle the fast-bowling duties with Mohammed Shami.
Meanwhile, New Zealand left out Devon Conway and added middle-order star Daryl Mitchell as the only change to their playing XI.
Both India and New Zealand are unbeaten and the winner of Sunday’s match in Dubai will top Group A.
INDIA PLAYING XI
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy
