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While a win against New Zealand will ensure India top Group A, the standings hold little importance as a semifinal clash with either Australia or South Africa is already on the cards.
‘Try Guys Who Aren’t Playing’: Manjrekar Wants Gambhir To Test Bench Strength vs NZ (Picture credit: X @BCCI)
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has said that the Gautam Gambhir-led Indian team management should give some game time to the benched players in the upcoming final group-stage game against New Zealand on Sunday, March 2.
While a win against New Zealand will ensure they top Group A, the standings hold little importance as a semifinal clash with either Australia or South Africa is already on the cards.
Manjrekar, during a chat on Star Sports, said that India should choose to test their bench strength as well and did not seem to put up a massive significance on the result.
“Try guys who aren’t playing… Rishabh Pant and Arshdeep (Singh) as well (give them a game). Give your best. If you don’t win the game, so be it. You play South Africa,” Manjrekar said.
With a semifinal berth bagged, India may consider resting important players, which could include skipper Rohit Sharma, who experienced discomfort against Pakistan. Mohammed Shami, managing a calf issue, might make way for Arshdeep.
An invincible India would be eager to sharpen their game against spin and give a run to second-line players ahead of the semifinal when they face New Zealand.
A victory over New Zealand in their last league game will help India top Group A. But that position of pride is of little value because they are all set to face either Australia or South Africa in the semifinals, and both of them have handy spin units at their disposal.
Indian batters haven’t been comfortable against spin despite two wins till now in the Champions Trophy, and New Zealand, who are qualified for the semis, can offer them a hard challenge.
The star Indian batters were focusing more on playing out Bangladesh spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain without taking risks, and they followed the same approach against Pakistan leg spinner Abrar Ahmed.
But the Indian batters would come up against more wily customers in Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell on Sunday, and it can be their toughest test against spin yet in the Champions Trophy.
India lost a home Test series 0-3 to New Zealand last year, and that would be heavily running in their mind ahead of the tie.
For more in-depth coverage of the Champions Trophy, check out the latest Points Table to see where your favorite team stands. Stay updated on the tournament’s top performers with the Most Runs and Most Wickets leaderboards. Keep following for all the latest updates!
