India Playing XI against Pakistan, No place for SKY, Shardul in IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023 clash
India vs Pakistan marks the beginning of Indian cricket team official preparation for the 2023 World Cup. However, Rohit Sharma & Co does not have an important member in KL Rahul. As he is not yet fit, Ishan Kishan will come to India playing XI against Pakistan as a wicketkeeper-batsman. The only good news is the return of Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah. But there will be no place for Suryakumar Yadav o Tilak Varma against Babar Azam & Co in the IND vs PAK Asian Cup 2023 crash on Saturday.
KL Rahul’s absence creates two problems: 1. Ishan Kishan must play, 2. Kishan can only play in the Top 3. That creates a dilemma as to who the two openers should be. Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan have done well together. But should India drop Rohit Sharma at No. 3 or No. 4? That’s a big question for India coach Rahul Dravid.
Who opens for India?
In India’s Asia Cup camp, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill batted at 3 and 4. So, keeping that in mind, Ishan Kishan seems to be the main option as an opener. And it is not illogical. Against the ferocious left-arm pace of Shaheen Afridi, India need a left-arm spinner to counter-attack. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill could be a problematic couple.
As things stand, Rohit Sharma at 3 or 4 in India playing XI could be a temporary solution.
Who will be India’s number 4?
When KL Rahul comes in, Shreyas Iyer will be India’s No. 4. But in his absence, Iyer will bat at number 5. Virat Kohli is likely to be number 4 for the first two games.
However, Team India can also go for Rohit Sharma, sending him in the middle to play as a spinner. It is quite possible that Rohit will bat at number 5 with Shreyas Iyer at number 4. Therefore, Suryakumar Yadav will miss the India Playing XI. .
There is also a possibility of Ishan Kishan batting at number 5. In that order, Shubman Gill and Rohit will open with Virat Kohli at number 3 and Shreyas Iyer at number 4.
In an ideal situation, Sanju Samson could have fixed the problem. However, with Team India backing Ishan Kishan, Sanju will not be in the 15-member squad. He will remain in reserve.
IND vs PAK: What to expect?
- While the batting is sorted, the bowling combinations become complicated.
- If India vs Pakistan is on the same ground as Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, it will be a two-pace ground in Kandy.
- In LPL 2023, Pallekele has offered slow, high-scoring pitches.
- If he is slower, India will be tempted to pick Axar Patel instead of Mohammed Shami or Mohammed Siraj.
- Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and one from Shami Siraj will be the pace attack.
- Therefore, Shardul Thakur will also miss out even though he provides hitting depth.
- That will give India three spinners: Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja.
- The final bowling combination will be decided only after the India team takes a look at the pitch.
Foretold India playing XI vs PAK:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Shubman Gill
- Ishan Kishan (WK)
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Siraj
- Mohamed Shami
- Jasprit Bumrah
India squad for Asia Cup 2023:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna. Travel reservation: Sanju Samson
