Dubai, March 1: India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate admitted on Friday that it's been tough for star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant to remain sidelined during the ongoing Champions Trophy. However, he emphasized this scenario as part of "the nature of sport at this level."
Pant has missed the last two group matches, with India opting for KL Rahul behind the stumps. Rahul has excelled, not only showcasing sharp wicket-keeping but also providing stability in India's middle order.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Sunday's clash against New Zealand, ten Doeschate said, "It's been very hard on Rishabh not playing. But that's the nature of sport at this level."
Highlighting Rahul's contribution, he added, "KL has been good. He didn't get many chances previously. We've got to keep Rishabh up and running as we never know when we're going to need him. But certainly, having two wicketkeepers of such calibre is a nice situation."
Spin Set to Dominate India vs New Zealand Clash
Discussing India’s final group stage match against New Zealand, ten Doeschate noted the likely role of spin bowling, mentioning that both sides are heavily reliant on their spinners."They (New Zealand) have four spinners as well, so it could become a contest of spin. Initially, we didn't anticipate such an over-reliance on spin coming into this competition," he said. "But our guys have bowled nicely, the pitch has supported spin, and we expect similar conditions tomorrow."
Possible Bowling Changes for Balance and Momentum
The former Dutch cricketer, originally from South Africa, indicated potential adjustments in the Indian bowling lineup. He stated the team would consider making changes to balance player workload while maintaining the winning momentum ahead of the semifinals."We've had two pretty tough training sessions to prepare. Regarding bench strength, our priority remains keeping our best players fit and available for the semifinal on March 4," ten Doeschate explained. "We don't want excessive rest either, so we might share the bowling responsibilities. Winning against New Zealand and topping the group is crucial, so we'll balance selection carefully."
Sunday’s match holds significance as both India and New Zealand have already secured semifinal berths. The game will determine who finishes atop Group A.
Captain Rohit Sharma's Fitness Update
On the fitness of captain Rohit Sharma, who had an injury scare during the match against Pakistan, ten Doeschate provided reassurance, saying, "He's all right. He's batting a bit more than earlier. It's an injury he's familiar with, so he knows how to manage it effectively."Scoring Difficulties on Dubai Pitches Acknowledged
Addressing questions about scoring conditions in Dubai, ten Doeschate noted, "I wouldn't call it difficult, but we've become accustomed to pitches where scoring 320 is routine. Here, getting to 320 has proven challenging."He elaborated, "The pitch has behaved slightly differently across the two games. Realistically, 280-290 is a good score if you bat exceptionally well. Unlike pitches in Pakistan, where 320-330 is expected, we've had to adapt here. Based on our experience, a total around 280-290 is competitive."
Managing Players’ Workloads Essential
Regarding player fatigue, ten Doeschate expressed satisfaction with the rest period his players enjoyed since facing Pakistan on February 23."They've had ample rest. The challenge lies in managing workloads effectively between consecutive matches," he explained. "If our seamers bowl their full quotas and we end up bowling second in one match and first in the next within 36 hours, it can be taxing. Thus, we might reduce their overs if possible, ensuring they're fresh for both the semifinal and potentially the final."
India faces New Zealand in a crucial clash on Sunday, aiming to continue their unbeaten run and maintain momentum heading into the knockout stages.