IND vs NED: India to rest Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul in dead rubber match against Netherlands?

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IND vs NED: Having already qualified for the World Cup 2023 by securing the top spot in the league stage, India face Netherlands in a dead rubber at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, November 12.

Even if India lose, the semi-final line-up would not at all be affected. Australia and South Africa are set to finish in the second and the third spot. A semi-final match between them at the Eden Gardens on Thursday, November 16 is already fixed.

India have 16 points and will finish at the top-ranked side in the league stage. They are certain of facing fourth-placed New Zealand in the semi-final. Therefore, the scenario will give India the privilege of resting their key players against Netherlands.

Rohit Sharm and the Indian cricket team management will have the option to rest the likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav against Netherlands.

IND vs NED: Will Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul in dead rubber match against Netherlands?

However, will these key players really be rested ahead of the first semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday, November 15? No. The chances are really slim.

India would not at all want to rest at least any of their batters. Fast bowling unit of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj will also likely play. There a couple of reasons behind it.

Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid would not risk tinkering with the team combination which has kept them unbeaten and given them eight wins on the trot. Benching/resting a player would break the excellent momentum of the team. The Men in Blue are in a really good shape, and keeping the same bunch of players who will feature in the semi-finals in the zone is very important.

Secondly, India already had a 6-day break following their last match against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Giving a game time to the players would be important. Bowling in the nets can never be a substitute for a real match scenario.

The players also look to maintain the continuity in an event like the World Cup. Therefore, a full-strength Indian team will likely look for a perfect warm-up match before the all-important semi-final against New Zealand.