The India cricket team is qualified for the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal. But they will have a lot to gain from their last Group A fixture against New Zealand. The game would decide who would be Team India’s semifinal opponent, given the table toppers would play the second-qualified team in the other group. But it’ll be better to cover your bases and then think about your potential opponent.
No game time for India’s bench
You mustn’t forget that in the last six months, Team India has played just five ODIs. Even in these, Rishabh Pant hasn’t gotten a chance to play. Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Arshdeep Singh have all played just one 50-over match. Granted, Arshdeep and Varun participated in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but the point is that the benchwarmers haven’t gotten much game time.
Of these, Washington might be the most crucial one. Why? Because New Zealand could be Team India’s opponent in the ICC Champions Trophy Final. They are in the same group as the Kiwis, and if both teams are to win the semifinals, they’ll meet in the title match.
Why Washington Sundar must play against New Zealand
Now, let’s get back to why Washington is needed. The BlackCaps will play four to five batters. Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra, Michael Bracewell, and Mitchell Santner will start. Devon Conway might also play if New Zealand wishes to drop Will Young. They have another southpaw on the bench, Mark Chapman.
Yes, Kuldeep Yadav takes the ball away from the left-handers, but if so many southpaws play, can Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir field two left-arm orthodox spinners? You can’t dictate the middle overs without your spinners. Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep have combined to bowl 55 of the 99.2 overs delivered by Team India.
Can Axar and Jadeja have their quota of overs with Rachin and Latham in the middle? Won’t you want two bowlers who can take the ball away from the left-handers in such a scenario? You mustn’t forget that New Zealand can’t change the line-up either. Chapman is the one sitting out, and he’s a southpaw as well.
It makes absolute sense to test Washington Sundar against New Zealand now. If things go to plan, you can then play him against them if both teams reach the final. But let’s say they don’t; you still have someone on the bench who has played one match in Dubai. If his services are required due to an injury or something else, he can do well. But he needs the opportunity now.
India’s squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy
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