India’s predicted Playing XI against Pakistan: Sportsrush presents before you India’s playing XI for their next match against Pakistan.
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Standing tall on the expectations bestowed upon them, the Indian team has proved their mettle yet again in the One-Day format during the ongoing Asia Cup. After their nervous win in the first match against Hong Kong, India have come back strongly to thump victories in the next two matches against Pakistan and Bangladesh respectively.
India would be looking to continue this momentum throughout the tournament. During the post-match ceremony, India captain Rohit Sharma declared the victory against Bangladesh as a clinical performance. He would be hoping for his players to keep coming up with such performances.
Below is India’s expected playing eleven for the match against Pakistan:
1. Top-order – India are not expected to make any changes at the top of the order. The tried and tested pair of captain Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have proved to be outstanding for India in the recent years and also in this tournament.
With Dhawan scoring a hundred in the first match and a couple of 40s after it and Sharma scoring two consecutive half-centuries, both the openers have been among the runs in the tourney. In the three innings that Ambati Rayudu has played in the Asia Cup, it is a case of so far so good.
2. Middle-order – Dinesh Karthik batting at No. 4 has also looked comfortable as of now. Having said that, both him and the team management would be wanting him to register a substantial score at that slot because these starts won’t help him in cementing his spot in the team.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni coming in to bat at No. 4 ahead of Karthik against Bangladesh was a relieving sight for his numerous fans. However, he is likely to be back at No. 5 against Pakistan.
Kedar Jadhav would also be looking for a considerable batting opportunity coming his way. He and Ravindra Jadeja also have the additional responsibility of bowling. In the lone match that he has played, Jadeja’s addition has reaped success for India. The team would be looking to count more on his experience.
3. Bowlers – At least, against Pakistan, India should field the same bowling line-up. In Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, India have a quartet of bowlers who have it in them to both attack and contain the opposition batting line-up.
With Chahal and Yadav having tasted the pressure of an India-Pakistan match now, they would be more confident about their craft against their arch-rivals.
Below are some tweets from India’s comprehensive victory against Bangladesh:
