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While facing a pacer in the nets, Virat Kohli was reportedly hit near his knee, prompting him to stop training. Indian physio staff attended to him.
Virat Kohli celebrates after scoring fifty runs during the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal cricket match between India and Australia (Picture credit: AP)
Ace India batter Virat Kohli on Friday suffered an injury during a practice session ahead of the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand on Sunday, March 9 in Dubai, according to a report by Geo News.
While facing a pacer in the nets, Kohli was hit near his knee, prompting him to stop training. Indian physio staff attended to him, applying a spray and wrapping the area with a bandage.
Despite experiencing slight pain, Kohli remained on the ground and observed the rest of the practice session, reassuring teammates and support staff regarding his condition.
The Indian coaching staff later clarified that the injury isn’t serious and that Kohli will be fit to play the final.
India have always found the resilient New Zealand a tall mountain to climb, as the latter hold a 10-6 lead over India across all the ICC tournaments.
If curated further, the Kiwis have a 3-1 edge over India in the ICC knockouts. It is a disturbing loop for the latter.
A section of the cricketing world has been disparaging India for the whole of last two weeks for having an unfair advantage due to their extended stay in Dubai.
This argument will not have much merit to it because New Zealand have already tasted the conditions in Dubai. India might still entertain a greater sense of comfort going into the title game.
In all probability, India will retain the four spinners and two pacers combination for the championship game.
If the final is indeed going to be played on the pitch that was used for the match between India and arch-rivals Pakistan, then those four spinners can put the Kiwis in a spin.
The New Zealand spinners had performed the act of destruction against India in 2024, albeit in a Test series, and an encore will be welcomed as they are in search of their first ICC ODI title in the last 25 years.
The Kiwis had defeated India in the final of the Knockouts in Kenya by four wickets in 2000.
But India will not want that to happen at their expense and would like to add another ICC trophy to their cabinet after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup.
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!
