India Playing XI vs PAK: It’s time for the biggest clash of ICC ODI World Cup 2023. India vs Pakistan in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium will host the mega match. While both teams are off to good start, winning both of their games, Shubman Gill has returned to the team much to the relief of Rohit Sharma.
“We will bowl first, cannot get bigger than this, fantastic atmosphere. Sure lot of us are going to experience something really extraordinary. It’s a good track, not going to change much, dew could be a big factor and keeping that in mind, we want to bowl first. We want to keep striving for the best, we want to come out there and give our best in every game. Keeping the atmosphere in the team relaxed is the most important thing in a tournament like this. Gill is back in place of Ishan, unfortunate for Ishan to miss out, feel for him, he stepped up when we needed him. Gill has been a special player for us over the past year or so, especially at this ground and we wanted him back,” said Rohit at the Toss.
For Shardul, the only factor that helps him is that he provides batting depth on paper. However, he hasn’t lived up to the expectations with the willow.
IND vs PAK: What to expect?
- Team India has pushed for Gill in India Playing XI vs PAK as he has a wonderful record at the venue.
- In IPL 2023, Shubman Gill scored 669 runs in 12 innings at the venue including two centuries and three fifties.
- The rest pick themselves as Virat Kohli, Shreays Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will slot right in to fill in the next few spots.
- The dilemma is for the No 8 slot. Shardul, Ravichandran Ashwin or Shami?
- Mohammed Shami’s excellent record is likely to help him get back while Shardul set to be dropped to the bench.
- Considering how high-scoring the ground is, India are unlikely to opt for a third spinner. Hence, there won’t be any place for Ashwin in the Playing XI unless Kuldeep Yadav falls sick.
- Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are two automatic choices.
India Squad for Cricket World Cup 2023
Batters: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav
WKs: Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul (VC)
Seam all-rounders: Shardul Thakur
Spin all-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin
Seamers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Spinner: Kuldeep Yadav
