Rishabh Pant (X/SohelVkf)
Just ahead of the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash, Team India has suffered a major setback. Star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has fallen ill with a viral fever, ruling him out of the Champions Trophy 2025 match scheduled for February 23 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Indian batsman Shubman Gill confirmed during a press conference that Pant was unable to participate in the team’s training session on February 22. His absence is a significant blow to the Indian squad, as he plays a crucial role in the team’s setup. With Pant sidelined, India is now forced to make key adjustments, reigniting discussions about wicketkeeping responsibilities in the upcoming matches.
Despite Pant’s absence, India finds some relief in the remarkable form of Shubman Gill. In the recent match against Bangladesh, Gill delivered a stellar performance, scoring his eighth ODI century. He played a composed innings, scoring 101 runs off 125 balls, guiding India to victory. Though this was his slowest century so far, it proved to be invaluable in securing the win for India.
However, Gill faced challenges during the Australia tour, managing only 93 runs in three matches. But he bounced back impressively, scoring over 50 runs in four consecutive matches, including two centuries. The young batsman attributes his resurgence to a shift in mindset rather than technical adjustments.
Reflecting on his struggles in Australia, Gill emphasized the importance of mental strength in cricket. He stated, “I don’t think there was a major technical flaw in my game during the Australia series. The mental aspect plays a crucial role. When we struggle to score runs, we often believe it’s a technical issue, but that’s not always the case.”
With Pant ruled out, India must now rethink its strategy for the crucial encounter against Pakistan. The team will look to maintain its momentum while ensuring stability in the playing XI.
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