{"id":249420,"date":"2025-03-01T08:27:23","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T08:27:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/01\/champions-trophy-india-may-test-bench-strength-against-new-zealand-winner-to-top-group-a-cricket-news-the-times-of-india\/"},"modified":"2025-03-01T08:27:23","modified_gmt":"2025-03-01T08:27:23","slug":"champions-trophy-india-may-test-bench-strength-against-new-zealand-winner-to-top-group-a-cricket-news-the-times-of-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/01\/champions-trophy-india-may-test-bench-strength-against-new-zealand-winner-to-top-group-a-cricket-news-the-times-of-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Champions Trophy: India may test bench strength against New Zealand, winner to top Group A | Cricket News – The Times of India"},"content":{"rendered":"
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With a chance to top Group A and stay unbeaten before entering the semifinals, both India and New Zealand will look to oil their machinery when they meet in the concluding game of the group-stage in the Champions Trophy<\/a> on Sunday.
Both the teams beat Bangladesh and Pakistan, which eliminated the two Asian teams from the competition. While India and New Zealand have qualified for the knockouts on the back of their unbeaten runs, their semifinal opponents will be decided based on the result in their face-off and the last Group B game between the eliminated England and South Africa.
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Australia have already booked one of the two spots from Group B, with the remaining spot to be filled by either South Africa or Afghanistan.
Despite their two victories in the tournament, Indian batters have shown signs of discomfort against spin bowling, and New Zealand could present a significant challenge with their spin department, led by skipper Mitchell Santner.<\/p>\n

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Can India overcome New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Indian batters have displayed tactical acumen, accumulating runs against spinners through singles and doubles, while targeting the faster bowlers who provide the pace to play with.
The Indian batting lineup adopted a cautious strategy against Bangladesh spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz (0 for 37) and Rishad Hossain (2 for 38), and maintained similar restraint against Pakistan’s leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed (1 for 928).
On Sunday against the Kiwis, they will have to navigate through Santner, Michael Bracewell and the part-time spin of Glenn Phillips.
The performance of India’s recent ODI sensation Shubman Gill, alongside Virat Kohli, who lifted spirits with his century against Pakistan, as well as Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul will present the Kiwi spinners a significant challenge.
But the deteriorating pitch conditions at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium may make batting a touch difficult as the tournament moves into its home stretch.<\/p>\n

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On that note, India have an arsenal of five spinners in the form of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy and Washington Sundar to pick from — a fact that was questioned ahead of the tournament. However, the worn-out surfaces in Dubai, following the recent ILT20 tournament, have justified the decision to field multiple spin options.
The three spinners utilised thus far — Jadeja, Axar and Kuldeep — have adapted effectively to the pitch conditions, creating difficulties for opposing teams.
Their consistent bowling in the middle overs has maintained pressure on batters. However, New Zealand’s batting lineup has quality in the form of Kane Williamson, Will Young, Tom Latham, Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, who can play spin effectively.
There is a likelihood that the team management may consider providing additional recovery time to captain Rohit Sharma<\/a> and Mohammed Shami<\/a> before the semifinals.
During the match against Pakistan, Rohit experienced some discomfort and was briefly absent from the field for approximately 20 minutes before returning. Although he later batted without visible difficulties.
If Rohit were to be rested, it could lead to Rishabh Pant coming in for his first match of the tournament.
Similarly, if Shami is also rested to recover from his calf niggle, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh may replace him in the eleven.<\/div>\n