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If the Friday’s practice session was an indication, then Arshdeep Singh in all likelihood will replace Mohammed Shami.
Mohammed Shami To Be Rested Against New Zealand? Report Reveals Crucial Detail (Picture credit: AP)
Star India pacer Mohammed Shami might be rested against New Zealand, with Arshdeep Singh replacing him in the playing XI, as India look to end the group stage of the Champions Trophy on a high with three wins in as many games.
According to a report in PTI, if Friday’s practice session was a sign, then Arshdeep, in all likelihood, will replace Shami, who has returned to the national fold after a long injury lay-off.
Arshdeep trained with bowling coach Morne Morkel, watching and bowling 13 overs with a full run-up, while Shami just bowled 6-7 overs with a curtailed run-up. He wasn’t bowling full steam.
During the match against Pakistan on February 23, Shami had got treatment in his right leg from the physios just after bowling his third over of the innings.
The body language of the players during the training session suggested that India might give Shami a much-required break ahead of the all-important semifinals.
While India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, in his interaction with media, wasn’t very sure if the team would alter the winning combination despite the desire, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, later in the evening, hinted that the bowling lineup could be changed a bit.
At the same time, ten Doeschate said that the team wouldn’t compromise on the balance as it wants to top the group with an all-victory preliminary campaign as well.
Ten Doeschate said that he is happy with the amount of rest his cricketers have had since their last match against Pakistan on February 23.
“They’ve had a lot of rest now. But it’s how you back the two games up. So if all the seamers are going to bowl 10 overs and then say we bowl second in the first game, we’re bowling 36 hours later, we’re bowling first, that’s quite a workload,” ten Doeschate said.
“So that’s what I was alluding to. One of the options is to make sure the guys don’t bowl their full quota of overs, if that opportunity allows itself. But we’re ready to manage that in the field and try and keep the guys as fresh as possible for the first and the final,” ten Doeschate added.
If workload is kept in mind, Shami might be rested from the match against New Zealand.
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