ICC World Cup 2023, IND Vs PAK | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

India will take on Pakistan on Saturday [X.com]

The mother of all rivalries returns to take centre stage as India take on Pakistan in Match 12 of the ICC World Cup 2023 on Saturday, October 14, in Ahmedabad. The giant stadium in Gujarat, playing host to a capacity crowd of 1.2 lakh, will be the battleground for the biggest clash of the tournament so far as Pakistan eye their first World Cup triumph against the much-fancied neighbours. 

Babar Azam's men will be up against history, with Team India reigning supreme in all previous seven occasions that the two countries have collided at the 50-overs carnival. However, they would take heart and confidence from the fact they will be entering the bout with Rohit Sharma & company after two successive wins in the competition. 

So will India after crushing Australia and Afghanistan in the early days of the tournament. The hosts haven't quite played at their best yet in either department. However, the spice of the rivalry with Pakistan and the emotions connected with the fixture could spur Team India on to their 'A' game. 

IND vs PAK: Team Previews

India

There might be temptations to bring in experienced Gujarat Titans (GT) seamer Mohammad Shami into the picture at his IPL home ground. However, India seem likely to retain the combination that played the Afghanistan match in Delhi, with utility fast-bowling allrounder Shardul Thakur acting as the third seamer. 

Thakur delivered an expensive first spell in his comeback fixture against the spirited Afghans but returned quite nicely to finish with figures of 1/31 off his six overs. Head coach Rahul Dravid is expected to give him more confidence and game time as India head deeper into their campaign. 

India swatted aside Afghanistan in their last game [AP]

Dravid is also likely to maintain a patient outlook towards Mohammed Siraj, who entered the World Cup in great form and rhythm but has struggled in the first two games for control and consistency. Siraj was the only Indian bowler to fail in the Afghanistan match, being taken for 0/76 off his nine overs. 

Elsewhere, Shubman Gill's speedy recovery from dengue and return to the camp in Ahmedabad would've been a cause of relief for the think-tank. The young opener underwent an extensive net session on Thursday. However, the medical staff is unlikely to risk immediately throwing the right-hander into action. 

---

ALSO READ

Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad Pitch Report For IND Vs PAK World Cup Match

---

Pakistan 

All of a sudden, Pakistan's two biggest concerns are their two most formidable cricketers in the park. Neither skipper Babar has left his mark with the bat, nor has ace left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi produced the early breakthroughs he is known for. 

Babar has made scores of 5 off 18 and 10 off 15 in his first two innings, while Shaheen has been taken for 1/37 off seven overs & 1/66 off nine overs in the early days of the competition. That will have to change come the India game if Pakistan are to punch above their weight against one of the more rounded Indian sides in history. 

Pakistan players training in Ahmedabad [AP]

Pakistan will also feel concerned by the form of their sheet-anchor opener Imam-Ul-Haq but equally chuffed with how Abdullah Shafique took his opportunity against Sri Lanka after replacing Fakhar Zaman. Shafique produced a terrific century and, along with experienced wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, took Pakistan home in a stiff run-chase. 

One shall expect no changes from Pakistan for the India clash since the Asian giants seem to have found their ideal replacement for the struggling Fakhar and have their best available balance and combination in place in the absence of injured Naseem Shah. 

IND vs PAK: Match Details & Live Streaming

IND vs PAK: Ahmedabad Pitch Report

Ever since being relaunched, the ground in Ahmedabad has tended to produce an interesting surface for matches in One-Day Internationals. The track tends to offer a hint of seam movement and old-ball turn for the speedsters, but once the dew settles in, it can transition into a batting surface. 

England found it when they saw New Zealand's Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra rally their way to centuries and hunt down a stiff chase in the first game of the tournament at this venue. A similar track would make a toss a critical factor for the India-Pakistan game.

IND vs PAK: Probable Playing XIs

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf

IND vs PAK: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

IND vs PAK: Winner Prediction

India have the history and the present in their favour. The Men in Blue have never lost to Pakistan at the World Cup and have the all-round depth and quality in their ranks to upstage the Asian giants once again. Expect Rohit Sharma & company to be the happier side at the end of the high-octane game. 

---

ALSO READ

Gill, Shami In; Ishan, Siraj Out, Here's India's Playing XI Vs Pakistan

---