Will Virat Kohli or Jasprit Bumrah rested for IND vs NED clash? Rahul Dravid drops a hint
Sagar Paul
India head coach Rahul Dravid addressed if seniors will get a rest ahead of the semi-final.
India have clinched victories in all eight of their league matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and are now preparing for their final league match against the Netherlands in Bangalore.
In the pre-match press conference, head coach Rahul Dravid suggested possible changes in India’s playing XI for this crucial last league-stage match of the World Cup 2023, set to take place at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Sunday. Regardless of the match’s outcome, India have secured the top spot in the points table. There are speculations about some key players potentially sitting out this match to stay fresh for the upcoming semi-final against New Zealand, scheduled for November 15th at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Despite speculations about key players resting, Rahul Dravid hinted that India would field the best possible XI against the Netherlands. This decision is influenced by the six-day gap between India’s last match against South Africa and the upcoming match.
“We’ve had six days off from the last game. So, we’re pretty well rested and the guys are in good shape. That’s all I’ll say without giving away the level. So, we’ve had six days off, we’ve got one game before the semi-final. Boys are rested. So that’s all I’ll say,” Dravid said.
Hardik Pandya’s injury has increased the pressure on India’s key seamers, including Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj, to consistently perform in every match. The absence of a reliable sixth bowling option adds to their workload and presents an additional challenge for the team.
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Is Prasidh Krishna set to make his debut in the World Cup
India brought in Prasidh Krishna to their squad as a replacement for the injured Hardik Pandya. Nevertheless, Rahul Dravid noted that the chances of the young pacer making his World Cup debut on Sunday are minimal.
“You’re at a pointy end in a tournament now. So now at this stage, it’s about just focusing on getting the guys who you think are going to be playing in the XI in the best possible space mentally and physically to be able to play that semifinal and hopefully the final if we if we earn it. So that will be the single pointed thinking it’s not about there are times there are times for larger picture thinking and there are times for narrow focus thinking in my opinion and now’s the time for sure narrow focus thinking if everyone is fit,” Dravid said.
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