Asia Cup 2023, Match 3 | India's Predicted XI vs Pakistan
Rohit Sharma will be seen leading the Indian team in Asia Cup and World Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)
The Asia Cup 2023 is already two games down. Now for the third match of the competition, we will be served with the most delicious contest that could be in the menu of Cricketing delicacies. It is Pakistan (PAK) taking in India (IND) in the third match of Asia Cup 2023 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele, Sri lanka. The match will be played on Saturday, 31st August at 3:00 PM IST. Before the two teams take the field let us take a look at what possible combination the Indian team can field in this game.
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Openers: Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill
The Indian have experimented quite a bit at the opening spot in the recent times. But Asia Cup 2023 being the preparatory ground for the World Cup 2023, it is expected that they will go in with a opening combination that will take the field in the mega event. Barring any unfortunate injuries, it looks like Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill as the opening duo for team India in World Cup 2023 and it will be this duo taking the field against Pakistan.
Shubman Gill needs to find his form quickly and provide India with some solid starts (Source: AP Photos)
Though Gill's form has not been the best in ODIs this year, but India will back him and hope that he finds his mojo back before the marquee event later this year.
Stats of Indian openers in ODIs in 2023
| Player | Matches | Runs | Runs Per Innings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 9 | 383 | 42.55 |
| Shubman Gill | 3 | 126 | 42.00 |
Middle Order: Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Sanju Samson(wk)
The presence of Virat Kohli at number three in the Indian middle-order is a given. With Shreyas Iyer fully fit, he walks in to the playing XI. It is the number five spot that is a bit of dilemma as KL Rahul who although is a part of the squad, will not be available for this match.
Virat Kohli will be the fulcrum around which the Indian batting revolves in most of the matches (Source: Twitter)
In this case, India had two options - Ishan Kishan or Sanju Samson. The inclusion of Ishan Kishan would be reasonable as that will allow India with a left handed batting option in the top-order. But it makes more sene if Kishan bats at the top of the order but that would mean resting Gill and that seems less plausible.
So, I feel that India will be opting with Sanju Samson. The wicketkeeper batter has a great record in ODIs and is a stable middle-order batter. The only concern is his consistency but this might be the break that Sanju uses to establish himself as a permanent member of the Indian playing XI.
All-rounder: Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya
Ravindra Jadeja has been an integral part of the Indian set up for the past few years. He is a three dimensional player in the true sense of term excelling in all the departments. The presence of Jadeja gives India a consistent run scoring option in the middle-order and brilliant exponent of spin bowling in the same phase while fielding. Besides, his fielding is a real asset to any team that he is a part of.
Ravindra Jadeja will be a key asset for India both with the bat and the ball (Source: Twitter)
In Hardik Pandya, India has a forth pace bowling option and an aggressive batting option in the lower middle-order. A player like Pandya can adapt to the game situation and play accordingly and this allows the team management to have great flexibility and dynamism.
Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Mohamad Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah
The presence of Kuldeep Yadav gives India the option of a different flavour of spinner. Being a chinaman bowler, Yadav will add great flexibility and flavour to the Indian bowling in the middle-overs. Besides, Kuldeep being an attacking bowler, he can take advantage of the pressure that is applied by Jadeja from the opposite end.
Kuldeep Yadav will be key for India's success in the middle-overs (Source: Twitter)
Coming to the pace department, the trio of Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj and Jaspirt Bumrah can be lethal when in rhythm. The Indian management will hope that at least two of theses three click in most of the match and that will ensure a advantage for the team in most cases.
Asia Cup 2023, Match 3: India's Predicted XI vs Pakistan
Rohit Sharma (c)
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer
Sanju Samson (wk)
Ravindra Jadeja
Hardik Pandya
Kuldeep Yadav
Mohammad Shami
Mohammad Siraj
Jasprit Bumrah
 "Probuddha Bhattacharjee")
