Shubman Gill is poised to potentially make his debut as ODI captain during the final group-stage match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday. This consideration arises as the Indian team management contemplates resting regular captain Rohit Sharma for this match, which holds little significance, as reported by The Indian Express. Rohit sustained a hamstring injury while pursuing a ball during the early stages of Pakistan's innings in India's second Group A match last Sunday (February 23). He appeared to be in discomfort before exiting the field at the conclusion of the 26th over.

Gill, who serves as the vice-captain, briefly took on leadership responsibilities in Rohit's absence. Although Rohit returned to the field after a few overs to resume his captaincy role, he did not appear to be fully fit. Concerns regarding Rohit's condition intensified when he refrained from batting during India's initial training session in Dubai on Wednesday, two days following their win against Pakistan.

Reports indicate that Rohit was the sole Indian batsman not participating in the nets during the team's intense training session on Wednesday. He did not engage in throwdowns either, opting instead to spend considerable time strategizing with head coach Gautam Gambhir. The only positive sign was a brief sprint taken by Rohit, suggesting that while the injury may not severely impact India's Champions Trophy campaign, it could be sufficient to warrant his rest for the upcoming match against New Zealand.

The upcoming match against New Zealand carries minimal significance within the context of the tournament, given that both teams have already secured their places in the semi-finals. The primary motivation for this match is to achieve the top position in Group A. Additionally, India is contemplating the option of resting captain Rohit Sharma for the match on Sunday due to the one-day interval before their semi-final on Tuesday, March 4.

Regardless of India's current position, they are scheduled to compete in the first semi-final in Dubai on March 4, as the alternative semi-final will take place in Pakistan, a location India will not visit. The 2013 Champions Trophy winners remain uncertain about their opponents in the knockout stage, as three teams—Australia, Afghanistan, and South Africa—within Group B have an equal opportunity to advance. The outcome of the match between Australia and Afghanistan on Friday will significantly influence this situation.

Who will replace Rohit Sharma?

Should Rohit Sharma be unavailable or if the Indian team management opts to rest him as a precautionary measure in light of the upcoming semi-final, it is anticipated that he will be replaced by either Rishabh Pant or Washington Sundar. Both left-handers have reportedly dedicated extensive hours in the nets, a practice they had not engaged in prior to any of the matches in Dubai during this tournament. It is important to note that India lacks a backup opener in their squad. In a recent adjustment to their lineup, they replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal with spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. While KL Rahul is available and has historically played at the top of the order, promoting him to partner Gill on Sunday would disrupt the batting order, as he has effectively settled into the middle of the order over the past two to three years.

Furthermore, Pant possesses experience in opening the batting in shorter formats and, similar to Rohit, has the ability to be an aggressive player during the powerplay.

Shubman Gill's captaincy credentials have gained attention since he was appointed as the leader of the IPL franchise Gujarat Titans prior to last year's season. He led a youthful Indian team in five T20Is against Zimbabwe, resulting in a 4-1 series victory. Most of the primary players were rested during that tour, which followed India's T20 World Cup triumph in the Caribbean. Gill's ascension as a potential ODI captain was solidified when he was named vice-captain for the home series against England and subsequently for the Champions Trophy. Rohit Sharma noted that Gill's exceptional performance in 50-over cricket, which earned him the No.1 ranking, was a significant factor in his promotion within the leadership structure.

Gill has been in remarkable form during this tournament, having scored a century against Bangladesh and a 46 against Pakistan. He participated in a private nets session on Thursday to further refine his skills.

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