India Playing XI vs PAK – IND vs PAK LIVE: Rohit Sharma won the toss and India opt to chase vs Pakistan on Sunday. Mohammad Shami and Ravichandran Ashwin have both made it to the team while Rishabh Pant misses out at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Yuzvendra Chahal and Harshal Patel while Dinesh Karthik is the designated keeper of the side. Follow ICC T20 World CUP 200 LIVE & India vs Pakistan LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik(w), Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh
The decision on Shami has been taken in morning. InsideSport could not ascertain that whether Shami’s inclusion is at the expense of Harshal Patel or a spinner in the LINE-UP.
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India Playing XI vs PAK: Mohammad Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin get the nod, Rishabh Pant sits out in MEGA Pakistan clash: Follow IND vs PAK LIVE
Rohit Sharma has backed Mohammad Shami to make his mark after choosing the veteran pacer over Harshal Patel for the crunch clash against Pakistan. Shami has bowled just one over since the IPL 2022 in T20Is, and the 32-year-old will have to buckle up to fill the Jasprit Bumrah-shaped void in the team.
The other selection dilemma was of the front-line spinner and Rohit has backed Ravichandran Ashwin over Yuzvendra Chahal. Ashwin has been economically effective and among the wickets in the warm-up games, something Chahal has struggled with. Given Pakistan’s left-handed batting order and the struggles of Azam and Rizwan against off-spin, Ashwin has the nod and will aim to give his best on Sunday.
India Playing XI vs PAK: Harshal Patel or Mohammad Shami?
- Harshal Patel has struggled for form since his return from an injury.
- Although he has done well in the last two games against Western Australia XI and Australia, there is still a shred of doubt.
- He returned with figures of 2/27 in India’s defeat against WA-XI.
- Against Australia, Harshal conceded 30 runs in three overs for a solitary wicket.
- More importantly, the 31-year-old conceded just five runs in the penultimate over to keep India in the hunt.
- Mohammad Shami however stole the show, albeit bowling just 1 over after return to T20s for the first time since IPL 2022 final.
- He successfully defended 11 off the final over.
- The veteran finished his solitary over with 3/4, nailing three perfect yorkers to derail what certainly seemed like an Australia win.
- Shami’s experience and his performance in the final over vs Australia does make him a favourite to make the final XI.
- However, on the downside, that final over is the only bowling Shami has had in the past three months, which included COVID-19 isolation.
- India have opted to go with Shami over Harshal for the Pakistan game
India Playing XI vs PAK: Mohammad Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin get the nod, Rishabh Pant sits out in MEGA Pakistan clash: Follow IND vs PAK LIVE
The other spot up for grabs was that of a front-line spinner, with Rajasthan Royals teammates Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin fighting for a spot. Chahal has been sensational since his return to the scheme of things, but his economy rate has been a concern. Ashwin offers a more economical option, along with some batting depth. But he has not proven to be a wicket-taking option in T20s of late. But as Pakistan have as many as 3 left-handers in the Playing XI, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid have been tempted to go with Ashwin. Axar Patel will be a bad match-up against left-handers as the ball would turn to their off-side.
India Playing XI vs Pakistan
- Rohit Sharma (Captain)
- KL Rahul
- Virat Kohli
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Hardik Pandya
- Dinesh Karthik
- Axar Patel
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Mohammad Shami
- Arshdeep Singh
India Playing XI vs PAK: Mohammad Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin get the nod, Rishabh Pant sits out in MEGA Pakistan clash: Follow IND vs PAK LIVE
The rest of the Indian line-up is solid with a set top five comprising of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav. Axar Patel slots in as Ravindra Jadeja’s replacement leaving only the wicket-keeper’s spot up for debate. Dinesh Karthik has done well in his limited chances, dovetailing as India’s specialist finisher. While Rishabh Pant adds a left-handed option in a predominant right-handed line-up, he has struggled for form in the warm-up matches so far.
India T20 WC Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami. Standby Players: Mohammed Siraj, Shreyas Iyer, Ravi Bishnoi, Shardul Thakur.
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