Shubman Gill Addresses Fitness Concerns Ahead of India’s Crucial Clash with New Zealand

India vice-captain and star batter Shubman Gill has raised doubts about his availability to play in India's last group game in the 2025 Champions Trophy against New Zealand. The game will be played on Sunday, but Gill was the sole absentee in India's practice session on Wednesday at the ICC Academy in Dubai.

Match Details:

• Date: Sunday, March 2, 2025
• Time: 2:30 PM IST
• Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

Gill's Private Training Session
The Indian team exercised together for the first time following their win over Pakistan. Gill opted to exercise on his own at the ICC Academy. He completed a light drill with the backup staff and throwdown experts in order to maintain his sharpness. This evoked concern for his fitness but sources suggest he is not being bothered by serious issues.

"Shubman Gill trained with members of the support staff for an informal session. Since it wasn't an official training day, it looks like a personal session. But it wasn't a marathon one and took place in the afternoon hours," 

Gill's Performance in the Tournament
Shubman Gill has been in top-notch form throughout this tournament. He made a century in India's first match against Bangladesh in Dubai, which enabled him to move to the No. 1 position in the ICC ODI rankings.  His consistency has been one of the major reasons for India's success till now.

Concerns Over India's Key Players
Although Gill's non-appearance at the main training session raised some alarm, it is reported that he will return to the team for their last practice on Friday. This practice will be important before their game against New Zealand, who are currently top of Group A after beating Bangladesh and Pakistan.
The other concern for India is the captain Rohit Sharma. On Wednesday, Rohit performed only light jogging rather than full training. It is being reported that he might have suffered a slight hamstring injury while playing against Pakistan. The team management will be monitoring his fitness level in the lead-up to the important match.

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Looking Ahead to the New Zealand Match
India will be looking to post a good performance against New Zealand to qualify for the knockout stage. With Gill set to return to team training on Friday, there is reason to breathe easy. His form and presence will be important in India's bid for their third Champions Trophy title.

The Indian team will keep a watch on the fitness of both Rohit Sharma and Gill as they get ready for their last group game. Experts and fans alike will be looking forward to checking if both these players are fully fit for the task at hand.