Are India's bowlers ready? Ryan ten Doeschate on fatigue concerns ahead of semi-final

Former Netherlands cricketer and Team India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate emphasized ensuring the players take the field in the last game of Group A in the Champions Trophy 2025, while also keeping them fresh for the fixture. Now given that the Men In Blue have already sealed the berth for the semifinal, usually, teams prefer to give the key players a rest before the knockout match.

However, the Dutch made it amply clear that the boys were eager not to take the upcoming match against New Zealand as a dead rubber. Instead, they are keen to top the group. But given that the semifinal is not too far away, Doeschate hinted that some bowlers may not bowl the full 10 overs and keep their workload in check so that they stay fresh for the semifinal clash. Notably, New Zealand will clash with India, on Sunday, March 2, after both teams have already qualified for the semifinals. But this game will also decide which team will finish as the table toppers in Group A before the knockouts.

"We've had two pretty tough training sessions, so that's been the preparation. In terms of the bench strength, I think the priority is making sure that we have our best guys available and fully fit for the second game [the semi-final on March 4]. But we also don't want to rest them for another two days [India have had a week off]. So to get that balance right, we might just try to share the bowling out a little bit," Ten Doeschate was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"But we obviously want to win against New Zealand as well. It's important that we keep that momentum going and obviously to top the group as well. So the balance of those two things I just mentioned [is] to be thought about," the 44-year-old stated.

Besides, India's assistant coach also pointed out how after playing against Pakistan, the players got a much-needed break which was seemingly enough to keep them upbeat and fresh for the upcoming matches ahead in the Champions Trophy. Hence, Ryan ten Doeschate was pleased with the workload management and rest in between the matches of the mega ICC event. For the unversed, the Blue Brigade defeated Pakistan on February 23,  in Dubai, to continue their winning run in the eight-team tournament.

"They've had a lot of rest now. But it's how you back the two games up. So if all the seamers are going to bowl 10 overs, and then say we bowl second in the first game, we're bowling 36 hours later, we're bowling first, that's quite a workload. So that's what I was alluding to. One of the options is to make sure the guys don't bowl their full quota of overs, if that opportunity allows itself. But we're ready to manage that in the field and try and keep the guys as fresh as possible for the first and the final," he further mentioned.

'He's all right. It's an injury he's had before' - Doeschate on Rohit Sharma's injury

Meanwhile, when asked about captain Rohit Sharma's injury concerns which he sustained during the match against Pakistan, ten Doeschate revealed that the injury Sharma picked up had also happened in the past and hence it did not affect him gravely as he managed it really well. Moreover, he was doing fine. Besides, shedding light on Sunday's game against New Zealand, the Dutch felt it would be a battle of spin as the Kiwis also have a balanced side and have many spin options to play with.

Also Read- Champions Trophy 2025: KL Rahul quashes report of Rohit Sharma being unfit for New Zealand game

"He's all right. It's an injury he's had before, so he knows how to manage it really well. They [New Zealand] have [many] spinners as well, so it could be a contest of spin," he said.

"Coming into the competition, we weren't expecting such an over-reliance on spin. But the guys have bowled nicely and the pitch has helped a little bit, so I'm sure it's going to be the same for the next game here," ten Doeschate concluded.