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Rohit Sharma-led India will start the Super Fours stage of Asia Cup 2023 against Pakistan at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on September 10. The first match between the arch-rivals could not yield a result as rain did not allow the run chase to start. However, the Indian top-order was exposed against an in-form Pakistan pace attack with the new ball. Despite the collapse, India are unlikely to tinker with their top order against the Babar Azam-led side.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will open the batting for India followed by Virat Kohli. The top three are unlikely to change. Rohit and Gill got some runs under the belt against Nepal but Kohli will be raring to go against Pakistan bowlers after an inside edge crashed into stumps resulting in him departing for a single-digit score.
Shreyas Iyer was a bit unlucky to get out as he got caught at short mid-wicket in an attempt to play a pull shot off Haris Rauf. Before getting out, Iyer who returned to action after a long injury layoff played a few exquisite shots.
Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan is likely to be picked ahead of KL Rahul. Kishan rescued India after a horrible start with support from Hardik Pandya. The two batters gave India a fighting chance as they posted a total in excess of 250. Ravindra Jadeja provides variation to the bowling lineup and can contribute down the order as well. His selection in the side is a no-brainer as well.
There may have been some questions raised over Shardul Thakur’s selection in the World Cup squad but he has been the partnership breaker for India. Thakur failed to deliver with the bat against Pakistan which led to India getting bowled out. Had the conditions been different, Axar Patel would have been preferred over him.
Kuldeep Yadav will be India’s speciallist spinner. Kuldeep can contribute with the bat as well but his strike rate has not been up to the mark. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will be the two premier pacers.
India’s predicted Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Meanwhile, Pakistan have already announced their playing XI for their second Super Fours game. They did not make any changes to their winning combination after a comprehensive victory over Bangladesh.
Pakistan Playing XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
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