India vs Pakistan playing XI brings excitement to cricket fans as India opens its Asia Cup 2023 campaign on September 2. With KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer returning from injury, the ‘Men in Blue’ is expected to name a strong playing XI for this exciting group stage encounter.
India vs Pakistan Playing XI | India Likely Playing XI
The arch-rivals will meet on September 2 at Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy. India has a strong batting and bowling unit with KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Jasprit Bumrah in the squad. The team also features two top all-rounders – Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja.
Here’s the probable India playing XI against Pakistan:
- Rohit Sharma (captain)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Mohammed Shami
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
Let us look at the 11 players in detail:
Rohit Sharma:
The India captain will open and look to repeat his 2019 ODI World Cup performance against Pakistan, where he smashed 140 runs off just 113 balls. If Rohit finds his rhythm, he will likely cause plenty of trouble for Pakistan bowlers.
Shubman Gill:
The youngster has much to prove with the bat. After a stupendous IPL, where he won the Orange Cap, Gill will be keen to deliver on his first big tournament in India colors. The Asia Cup is an excellent opportunity to fire on all cylinders.
Virat Kohli:
The former India captain has a stellar record against Pakistan and will want to continue that hot streak in the Asia Cup. With Iyer and Rahul returning to the fold, Kohli is expected to bat at No 3. Indian fans will be pinning their hopes on the 34-year-old.
Shreyas Iyer:
The elegant batter is returning from injury and will be keen to cement the No. 4 spot for the World Cup. Iyer, who averages 46 in ODIs, is playing against Pakistan for the first time and will be keen to make it memorable.
KL Rahul:
Like Iyer, Rahul, too, was on the sidelines for a long time. The right-handed batter’s presence in the middle-order will be a relief for Rohit, who relied on Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson in Rahul’s absence. The Lucknow Super Giants skipper has hit a fifty against Pakistan in the 2019 World Cup.
Hardik Pandya:
The all-rounder will have to hold the fort for ‘Men in Blue’ in the Asia Cup. India needed someone to bat at six who can bat with the tail-enders to finish things off on a high. Moreover, his medium pace only increases the bowling options for the skipper.
Ravindra Jadeja:
Spin all-rounder Jadeja will bat at seven. He can be an effective finisher and double up as the offspinner who would quickly bowl through the middle overs. Also, his fielding prowess makes him a great asset in the playing XI.
Kuldeep Yadav:
The chinaman bowler is likely to be preferred over Axar Patel. In the 2019 World Cup clash between the two teams, Kuldeep took the wickets of Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman in quick succession, which helped India regain control of the game and grab a comfortable win.
Jasprit Bumrah:
The pace spearhead will want to impress on his ODI return. Bumrah, who recently captained India to a series win over Ireland, has an effective yorker and slow ball, which would offer the likes of Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq a stern test.
Mohammed Siraj:
The Royal Challengers Bangalore fast bowler is one of the most improved white-ball players in the recent past. He could get India early breakthroughs and will pose a tough challenge for the Pakistan top-order.
Mohammed Shami:
The 32-year-old can also seam and swing the ball through the air. It makes the Gujarat Titans’ bowler extra lethal with the new ball. He is expected to bowl in the powerplay and return in the match’s final stages.
If Iyer and Rahul are unfit, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav are likely to replace them in the playing XI.
Concluding Thoughts
With key players returning, India vs Pakistan playing XI is unlikely to have many surprises. However, there will be no shortage of excitement when the arch-rivals meet during the Asia Cup. It is likely to be another memorable chapter in the India-Pakistan rivalry.
FAQs about India vs Pakistan Playing XI
KL Rahul and Shreyas are likely to feature in India’s playing XI against Pakistan on September 2.
Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are likely to be India’s slow bowlers against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 match.
Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan are likely to be India’s openers.
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