"If Shami, Kuldeep perform, it is great for us": India skipper Rohit Sharma
Feb 19, 2025
Dubai [UAE], February 19 : India captain Rohit Sharma confirmed seasoned pacer Mohammed Shami and 'Chinaman' spinner Kuldeep Yadav are fit for the Champions Trophy opening clash against Bangladesh in Dubai.
On Thursday, India will begin its quest for Champions Trophy glory after missing out on the coveted title in 2017 with a 180-run defeat against its arch-rivals Pakistan.
The quest for glory won't be a cakewalk for the last edition finalists, considering the absence of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Considered to be the best speedster across all formats in the present generation, Bumrah is not in the team due to a "lower back injury."
With India bereft of Bumrah, Shami and Kuldeep's return to the ODI fold will serve as a boost for the Rohit-led side. Shami recently returned to international cricket after spending more than a year away from the game due to an injury.
India was deprived of Kuldeep's presence since the Test series against New Zealand last year. He was referred to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for the long-term resolution of his chronic left groin issue.
"Bowling fitness is fine (Shami). We wanted Shami to get back to bowling fitness. He has played some games. Whatever I have seen of him so far is perfect, fine. He has done the job for us over the years. Hopefully, he can find some rhythm in this tournament. Kuldeep has returned after a hernia operation. He looks quite confident, and if both perform, then it is great for us," Rohit said in the pre-match press conference.
During the buildup to the Champions Trophy, Shami and Kuldeep featured in two home ODIs against England. They toiled hard to find their rhythm and managed to scythe two wickets each.
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Bangladesh: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, MD Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.
