Islamabad, Feb 23: The Indian cricket team is facing a major setback ahead of their blockbuster ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against Pakistan, as concerns grow over the availability of star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. Reports suggest that Pant is likely to miss the crucial match due to health issues, casting doubt over India’s playing XI.
Pant, who had already missed India’s tournament opener against Bangladesh on Thursday, as well as the recent home ODI series against England, has been struggling with his fitness. His absence from the team huddle during a recent training session in Dubai has further fueled speculation regarding his condition.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill confirmed that Pant has been suffering from a viral fever, stating, “Rishabh is, I think, down with viral; that is why he did not come for practice.” With just hours left before the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash, fans and team management remain anxious about whether Pant will recover in time.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Pant’s availability, Gill emphasized India’s strategic approach, stressing the importance of aggressive yet adaptable cricket. “The ideal approach is to assess the conditions and see how it’s playing. We were lucky we got to the field first and saw how the wicket was playing,” he explained.
Gill highlighted that the target score would depend on pitch conditions, noting that in Dubai, a total between 260-280 could be competitive, but in other venues, teams might aim for 320-350+. “We don’t have any particular target, but we try and get 15–30 runs more than the par total on any pitch,” he added, emphasizing India’s flexibility in strategy.
Discussing the match conditions, Gill ruled out the dew factor as a decisive element, stating, “Toss does not matter in Dubai. The dew is not setting in; if it was, it would have made a major difference.” This indicates that both teams will need to be equally prepared for batting and bowling challenges.
While India enters the clash with a strong track record, Gill cautioned against underestimating Pakistan, despite their recent struggles. “India vs Pakistan is big, but the Champions Trophy final is the bigger match. We have been playing good cricket, but we will not take Pakistan as a lesser side,” he asserted.
As the countdown to the marquee encounter continues, all eyes will be on India’s final team announcement, with Pant’s inclusion or absence potentially playing a pivotal role in the outcome of the match.
