India is set to face New Zealand in their final group match of the Champions Trophy, already having qualified for the semi-finals. The match will decide the semi-final opponents, where the winner plays Australia and the loser faces South Africa. Gavaskar indicated India might prefer Australia due to their depleted bowling lineup.
India, led by Rohit Sharma, is preparing to play against New Zealand in their final group stage match of the Champions Trophy. With both teams having already secured their spots in the semi-finals, today’s match primarily serves as an opportunity to evaluate their bench strength. Despite its low stakes, both nations aim to enter the knockout rounds undefeated.
The outcome of this match will determine the semi-final pairings. The winning team will meet Australia, while the losing side will face South Africa. Sunil Gavaskar commented on India’s potential preference for an opponent, noting, “Both teams are formidable… I don’t think they would prefer to have any team. Maybe Australia because they’ve played Australia… they know Australia a little bit better than South Africa.” He mentioned that Australia’s absence of key bowlers might make them a preferred opponent for India.
Currently, South Africa leads Group B, having recently secured a commanding victory over England by seven wickets. Australia holds the second position, accumulating three points after their two matches were abandoned due to rain, which included one against South Africa.
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In summary, India’s upcoming match against New Zealand serves multiple purposes, including determining semi-final fixtures. While the stakes are relatively low for either team, Sunil Gavaskar suggests that India might prefer facing Australia due to familiarity and current player conditions. South Africa’s strong performance highlights their position in the tournament, while Australia looks to solidify their standing amid weather-related disruptions.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
