India cricket team will take on New Zealand in their final group stage fixture of Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday. Both the Men in Blue and the Kiwis have already qualified for the semi-finals, having won both matches they have played so far. This gives India a good opportunity to rest Mohammed Shami to ensure that he can bowl full throttle with renewed vigour in the knockout stages.
No need for Shami in NZ tie, India can play Arshdeep instead
Shami has played both the matches that India have played in the group stage. Against Bangladesh, he turned back the clock to prove why he is one of India’s best white-ball bowler with a five-wicket haul. With the tie against NZ being inconsequential since they have already made it to the semis, it would be wise for India to rest Shami and preserve him for the knockouts instead. After all, India have a variety of options to choose from if the veteran pacer is benched.
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Instead, Rohit Sharma and co. can play Arshdeep Singh in place of Shami. The left-arm pacer, who was picked ahead of Siraj in the squad, is yet to get a game in Champions Trophy. The tie against New Zealand could be the perfect opportunity for India to test Arshdeep’s services and see if he could come of good use in the knockout stages.
Apart from Arshdeep, India also has the option to field an extra spinner by dropping a pacer. With Harshit Rana and Hardik Pandya serving as full-time pacers, the Men in Blue can afford to give Varun Chakravarthy a game. The Tamil Nadu spinner’s addition could bolster the already strong spin unit.
Shami has been bowling in full throttle in the ongoing tournament. Despite having a couple of scares, the veteran pacer is very well regained his rhythm. A little bit of rest before the semis will do the team no harm. Unless the team decides to give him no rest so that he will be at his best during the semis.
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