Harbhajan Singh Foresees Critical Revision to India's Playing XI for Upcoming Clash vs New Zealand In Champions Trophy

Champions Trophy 2025, IND vs NZ: Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes Team India is expected to make some revisions in the squad, and he believes that mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy will find a spot in the Playing XI against New Zealand. He explained India coach Gautam Gambhir sees the need to field spinners as New Zealand faces difficulty dealing with spin bowling and there could be four spinners in action in today’s match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Harbhajan Singh Believes Team India To Feature A Change In Playing XI vs NZ  

The Rohit Sharma-led side has nothing to lose as Team India is all set to lock horns with New Zealand. The final group stage A clash in the UAE would present two titans battling to remain undefeated in the competition before they head into the semifinal. Team India is expected to roll into the knockouts with full steam, and they would make some changes in their squad. Ahead of the IND-NZ clash, Harbhajan Singh has offered his take on whether the Men in Blue would make any changes, and he expects that there could be one revision on the Playing XI. He added that Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Shami might stay, and Harshit Rana could be rested to make a spot for Varun in the play.  

“Think we might get to see Varun Chakravarthy get a chance in the playing XI. Maybe Gautam Gambhir would think that New Zealand don’t play spin that well. So it can also happen that four spinners play here.

“Hardik had bowled well against Pakistan. He has to bowl just seven or eight overs. If Hardik shares the new ball with Shami and then we have four spinners, I think that will be a good option,” Harbhajan Singh said in one of his videos on his YouTube channel.

Also Read: India vs New Zealand Champions Trophy Live Score

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Team India has a strategic advantage, as they do not need to travel and are playing on the same pitch in Dubai. While the pitch has been a unique factor, the toss hasn’t bothered the Indian side as they have chased in both matches and have emerged victorious against Bangladesh and Pakistan.

New Zealand may also undergo some revisions as they could present their benched players a chance to feature in the game and keep their in-form players rested and safe from any injury.

Team India and New Zealand will lock horns in the final group stage clash at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, Match 02, 2025 at 02:30 PM IST.

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