Rishabh Pant Makes A Shocking Entry In India's Playing 11 In Champions Trophy 2025

Rishabh Pant is set to be part of the India XI for their final group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This match will be played on Sunday, March 2 against New Zealand in Dubai. With India already in the semifinals of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, a couple of changes in the winning playing XI are on the cards.

As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 draws to a close, the Indian cricket squad is currently dealing with a few injury scares. According to reports, Rohit Sharma has a hamstring strain.

In India's lopsided 6-wicket victory against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, the seasoned opener had an injury that momentarily kept him off the field.

To recover and prevent additional strain before the knockout stages, Rohit Sharma reportedly chose not to participate in India's most recent training session. The 37-year-old Indian captain stayed off the field while his teammates engaged in a rigorous batting exercise.

Rohit Sharma to skip New Zealand game?

The medical professionals of the Indian team reportedly kept a careful eye on Rohit. According to a Times of India story, Rohit was not allowed to engage in any strenuous physical activity and was not allowed to participate in batting drills, such as the fundamental throwdown sessions.

Instead, he was observed running lightly while being watched over by Soham Desai, a strength and conditioning instructor. Shubman Gill's absence from the practice session further alarmed the Men in Blue.

According to reports, the young opener stayed indoors because of illness. Interestingly, Gill also suffered a hand injury in the team's most recent group game against Pakistan.

Rishabh Pant is set to get his chance in the India XI after being benched for 5 straight ODIs

The good news is that Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant recovered from a fever and batted in the nets on Wednesday, despite Rohit and Gill's fitness issues.

After warming the bench during the England ODIs at home, it is thought that Rishabh Pant would make a comeback to India's starting lineup for the final group encounter against New Zealand.

According to a Revsportz reporter, Rohit and the team management appear to be in contact with Rishabh Pant to prepare him for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match against the Black Caps. Additionally, he alluded to more than two changes to India's starting lineup for the match against New Zealand.

After watching last night practice session looks like there is something communicated to RP17 - saw Rohit also which make it more eveident - but there will be more - A couple more may be

— Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) February 27, 2025

Rohit Sharma highly unlikely for India vs New Zealand

Rohit is very unlikely to play in the group encounter against the Black Caps on March 2 in Dubai, since Rishabh Pant was spotted participating in a vigorous practice session. This suggested that KL Rahul would go to the top order and Rishabh Pant would bat at number five.

Mohammed Shami, on the other hand, allayed fitness worries with a rigorous bowling practice prior to the knockout stages. Even troubling Virat Kohli in the nets, Shami bowled with full pace and swing after giving the India-Pakistan match a scare about an injury.