Round 2 of India vs Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023 is here. As Rohit Sharma & Co take on unbeaten Babar Azam-led Pakistan in the Asia Cup Super 4 clash, there is another injury crisis. Shreyas Iyer has been dropped as he has suffered a back spasm. But KL Rahul has returned after a 4-month absence. Jasprit Bumrah has also returned while Shardul Thakur retains his place in India Playing XI in IND vs PAK.
India Playing XI vs Pak: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Jasprit Bumrah hasn’t yet bowled in Asia Cup 2023 with rain spoiling the first IND vs PAK game. Then, he had to go back home for the birth of his first child. He missed the India vs Nepal game. Mohammad Shami came in as a replacement.
Whom to drop for Bumrah?
Mohammad Shami bowled 7 overs for a wicket in his absence. But now that Jasprit Bumrah is back, who should India drop? The choice is clear. It’s Mohd Shami who sits out for Bumrah in Playing XI vs PAK.
- Mohammad Shami: Even though he picked up just one wicket, he was economical.
KL Rahul or Ishan Kishan?
With Shreyas Iyer out injured, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan both play. Ishan Kishan has been designated as the wicketkeeper as KL Rahul is returning from thigh injury and groin niggle. Rahul had his first practice session in Asia Cup 2023 ahead of India vs Pakistan clash. While he was absent, India did try many options including Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav. So far, only Ishan Kishan features prominently in plans.
Kishan has been in great form. He has scored 52, 55, 77 and 82 in his last four ODI innings, making it impossible to drop him. Against Pakistan, he was the batter who helped India launch a fightback after Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf rattled Indian batting order. Furthermore, he is a left-hander and that helps India in tackling left-arm seam or left-arm spin.
No place for Axar Patel
Axar Patel was another question that Rohit Sharma needed to answer. But with live grass on the Colombo pitch, Rohit Sharma opted for a seamer in place of an addition spinner.
India Squad for Asia Cup 2023
Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, Prasidh Krishna, Tilak Varma
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