India opener Shubman Gill revealed that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is down with a viral fever ahead of the highly anticipated 2025 Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan in Dubai on February 23. Gill’s update clarified Pant’s absence from the team huddle on the eve of the match.
Pant was left out of India’s playing XI in their opening game against Bangladesh, with KL Rahul preferred as the first-choice wicketkeeper. The Men in Blue secured a six-wicket victory in a low-scoring encounter to begin their campaign on a positive note.
Addressing the media ahead of the Pakistan match, Gill stated [as quoted by India Today]:
“Rishabh Pant is down with viral fever and that’s why he was not in training today. The conversations I have had with the players are that I go and talk to players that are feeling a little low – who are not playing regularly.”
Shubman Gill also recognized the impact of Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from the tournament, stating:
“Of course it affects us. He has played for India for a long time. It was a setback for us, we were disappointed as a team. But we have to choose our best options and Harshit has bowled really well.”
“India vs Pakistan is huge, but the Champions Trophy final matters even more”- Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill rejected the idea that India-Pakistan matches are overhyped but admitted that the Champions Trophy final holds greater significance. While India has had the upper hand over Pakistan in white-ball cricket, particularly in ICC events, their battles in the Champions Trophy have been more evenly contested.
Pakistan has won three of their five encounters against India in the tournament, including a commanding 180-run victory in the 2017 final.
“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. I don’t know if it is overhyped or underhyped. The clash carries a lot of history and there are millions of people who love to watch this game. Who am I to say if it is overhyped or underhyped,” said Gill.
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