Asia Cup 2023: India and Pakistan will play each other for the first time in ODIs since the 2019 World Cup
Rohit Sharma (L) and Rahul Dravid (R), of India, take part in a training session (Pic: AFP)
The Asia Cup has returned to the 50-over format to facilitate an ideal World Cup preparation for five of the six participating teams, but for organisers and the fans, India vs Pakistan is not just another game, it is 'The Match'. The two subcontinental giants will play each other for the first time in ODIs since the 2019 World Cup. However, with steady rain predicted in the hilly Kandy region on Saturday, an anti-climax to a mouth-watering clash can't be ruled out.
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Team India, which is yet to fit-in all the jigsaw puzzles will be hoping that their 'holy trinity' of skipper Rohit Sharma, peerless Virat Kohli and his heir apparent Shubman Gill is ready to fight fire with fire against Shaheen, Rauf and the feisty Naseem Shah.
Overcast conditions and a bit of nip in the air is all that Shaheen and Naseem would need during the opening Powerplay to unsettle the Indian top three. Especially Gill, who doesn't have a pronounced feet movement against pacers and uses his hands more with a technique that is more about beside the line of the ball rather than behind the line. The puzzle surrounding Indian and Pakistani middle-order assumes significance. India's concern is accentuated primarily by the absence of KL Rahul, who will miss at least the first two Asia Cup games.
Also Read: Can Pakistan solve the India riddle in the Asia Cup?
India might have decided to field wicketkeeper batsman Ishan Kishan in the middle-order against Pakistan but they are still undecided about his slot, No. 4 or No. 5 but mostly the latter position. Kishan's inclusion will certainly give the Indian batting unit a bit of variety for him being a left-hander. But the Jharkhand stumper has never batted at No. 5 in his India career and his average in middle-order is a meagre 22.75. So, he will have to cope with demands of that slot like maximising the run-making opportunities as he might not get too many overs to bat.
India have been bolstered by the return of Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna, and the pacers had also bowled intensely in the T20I series against Ireland recently. But the Indian management will be keen to watch how they respond to the rigours of 50-over cricket. The think-tank might just prefer the experience of Shami in a needle match against Pakistan. So, India's pace attack on the morrow could be Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj and Shami with Hardik Pandya giving them the fourth seamer option.
India will also have to keep a close on the selection in the spin department. Ravindra Jadeja's inclusion is certain and he could be coming in at No. 7. But that will leave India with four bowlers who hardly contribute with the bat. India might think long before picking between left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and left-arm spinner Axar Patel. While Axar will give India the option of a bowler who can bat at No. 8, Kuldeep has better striking ability. Kuldeep is India's highest wicket-taker in ODIs this year with 22 wickets in 11 matches, while Axar has just 3 scalps from 6 matches.
(With PTI inputs)
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