IND vs PAK LIVE – India vs Pakistan Super 4s: Team India have hit a massive roadblock with Ravindra Jadeja ruled out of the Asia Cup with injury. With the game against Pakistan slated today at 7:30PM, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid have a huge decision on the cards as they aim to name their best XI. The likes of Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel will all be in contention for a place in the side. Follow Asia Cup 2022 live updates on Insidesport.IN
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IND vs PAK LIVE: Ravindra Jadeja injury leaves India in HUGE MESS, Rohit-Rahul ponder 5 solutions including Deepak Hooda ahead of MEGA Pakistan clash – Check out
Just before India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Super 4 clash, Ravindra Jadeja’s knee injury has sent shockwaves. As things stand, Ravindra Jadeja is likely to miss the Australia and South Africa series at home, putting a question mark on his WC availability. However, Rohit Sharma’s nearest concern is the India vs Pakistan clash, with the all-rounder’s absence hurting the team balance.
While Axar Patel is the obvious choice due to their similar skillset, the left-arm spinner is not as adept with the bat as Jadeja. Patel’s availability for the game also remains in question having joined up with the India squad on Saturday, with just one practice session under his belt. The 28-year-old will also have some serious jet leg, having only arrived in Dubai via a Friday night flight.
Deepak Hooda is another option on the roster, with the all-rounder also doubling up as a valuable spin bowling option. Hooda starred for India at No.3 over the past few months pipping the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson into the squad. With Hardik Pandya also bowling, Hooda can serve as the sixth bowling option and retain India’s batting might.
How can India replace Ravindra Jadeja?
- Axar Patel comes in as a direct replacement for Jadeja in the Playing XI, but is lacking fitness
- Deepak Hooda replaces Jadeja in the side but India would have no left-hander in their line-up
- Ravichandran Ashwin also presents himself as an option leaving India’s batting on the weaker side
- Rishabh Pant could feature in the side as a direct replacement leaving India a bowler short
- Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel both come in for Jadeja and Dinesh Karthik.
IND vs PAK LIVE: Ravindra Jadeja injury leaves India in HUGE MESS, Rohit-Rahul ponder 5 solutions including Deepak Hooda ahead of MEGA Pakistan clash – Check out
Ravichandran Ashwin also presents himself as a viable option having batted in the top 7 for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. However, like Hooda, the veteran also is a right-handed batsman and their inclusion would mean that the Men in Blue would have no left-handers in their batting order.
Rishabh Pant thus presents a safer choice, doubling up as a spin-basher in the middle overs. The left-hander was dropped in favour for Dinesh Karthik against Pakistan, with Jadeja promoted up the order. However, with the latter injured, Pant should feature meaning Karthik could return to the bench on Sunday.
Swapping Jadeja for Pant directly would mean India would go with just five bowlers including Hardik Pandya. Given his injury history, India would want to have another bowling option which puts Hooda and Axar above in the pecking order.
