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Massive Boost For India! Rishabh Pant And Morne Morkel Join Back Before New Zealand Clash

Arnav Chopra

Rishabh Pant and Morne Morkel (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com)Rishabh Pant and Morne Morkel (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com)

In what is coming as auspicious news for the Indian cricket team, star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and bowling coach Morne Morkel have rejoined the side before the all-important clash. Both were out of the squad for different reasons but will be available before India's final group-stage match against New Zealand in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025.

Rishabh Pant Rejoins Practice Session, While Morne Returns From South Africa

The Indian Cricket Team, after successfully securing the semi-final berth following victories over Bangladesh and Pakistan, have now received another significant uplift before their final group stage match against New Zealand.

The star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who was out of action due to a viral fever, has been deemed fit and was seen travelling to the ground alongside the rest of the squad for their practice camp in Dubai. Whereas the bowling coach, former South African superstar Morne Morkel, who returned to his home following the passing of his father, Albert, is now back with the team.

Another major aspect of this is that, despite Pant's recovery from the fever, there are fewer chances that he would be featuring in the playing XI against the BlackCaps. This is due to the fact that India have a settled side, which they preferred in both their completed games and likely won't want to tinker with their winning combination.

Adding to this, the only chance that Pant could feature in the XI is if the Indian side decides to rest a batter or if KL Rahul somehow misses out due to an injury or any precautionary measure. Rahul, meanwhile, has been crucial to the side, with his outstanding 41-run unbeaten knock against Bangladesh, helping the side to victory.

Conversely, Morne Morkel's inputs have been valuable to the side as the pace trio of Mohammed Shami, Harshit Rana and Hardik Pandya have been doing exceptionally well in this tournament.

Talking about Pant, the left-hander has not featured for India in any ODI so far this year, whereas his last game was against Sri Lanka in the year 2024 at Colombo, where he could only manage six runs.

India To Face New Zealand On 2nd March

With two confident victories behind them, the Indian side will be up against the formidable New Zealand side at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, March 2nd, which will be the final match of the group stage in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025.