India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate shared an update regarding India’s plans for the two quick upcoming games.
India’s ICC Champions Trophy campaign reached a bit of a lull in the previous week, with the unit getting an entire week off between games after their victory in the high-intensity contest against Pakistan. India next play New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday to round out the group, but with qualification already promised, India are aware that they play their semifinal on Tuesday, less than two days’ rest after their third group game.
With fitness and recovery being a concern due to the quick turnaround between these two matches, Indian team assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate was asked about India’s plans to ensure their bowlers remain fresh, and if they might consider changes and rest being provided to do so.
“We’ve had two pretty tough training sessions, so that’s been the preparation,” ten Doeschate explained in the press conference. “In terms of the bench strength, I think the priority is making sure that we have our best guys available and fully fit for the second game.”
However, ten Doeschate indicated that this extended spell off followed immediately by two quick games provides something of a challenge for the team from a fitness and balance perspective.
“But we also don’t want to rest them for another two days. So to get that balance right, we might just try to share the bowling out a little bit,” said the former Dutch cricketer.
“But we obviously want to win against New Zealand as well. It’s important that we keep that momentum going and obviously to top the group as well,” he continued. “So the balance of those two things I just mentioned [is] to be thought about.”
There were reports of Shubman Gill making his ODI captaincy debut if Rohit is rested but going by what ten Doeschate said, it appears that the vice-captain will have to wait for opportunity to lead in an ODI.
The pressure will be off for India against the Kiwis, but they will want to maintain their momentum and keep this winning habit as they look to go 3-0 in Dubai in the group stages and head into the semifinals with confidence.
