The most awaited match of the Asia Cup 2023 is just around the corner. India is set to face off against Pakistan on September 2nd in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The excitement is palpable, with tickets already sold out and millions of fans eagerly waiting to tune in via TV and digital platforms.
This match marks a long-overdue ODI encounter between the two cricketing giants, and the anticipation is sky-high. However, there's a catch—the weather forecast suggests a 94% chance of rain in Kandy on the day of the match, with conditions expected to worsen by the afternoon. The game is scheduled to start at 3 pm IST, and fans are crossing their fingers, hoping the rain will relent to allow this epic battle to unfold.
Team India's Lineup: A Key Player Sidelined
The spotlight is firmly on the playing XIs for both teams, and India has some significant news. KL Rahul, the wicketkeeper-batsman, has been ruled out of not just the Pakistan match but also the subsequent game against Nepal. Head coach Rahul Dravid confirmed this, adding that Rahul is currently undergoing assessment at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and did not travel with the team to Kandy.
A Golden Opportunity for Ishan Kishan
In Rahul's absence, young talent Ishan Kishan is likely to step up. Typically batting in the top 3, Kishan is expected to fill Rahul's No. 5 spot in the batting order. It will be intriguing to see how he adapts to this new role in the middle order.
Hello Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 #TeamIndia | #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/TXe0NXhMFt
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 30, 2023
Bowling and All-Rounder Choices
India is not planning any other changes to their lineup. Pace bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are set to rejoin the playing XI. The team is also considering either Shardul Thakur or Axar Patel for the role of bowling all-rounder, a decision that will hinge on the pitch conditions. Kuldeep Yadav is expected to be the sole wrist spinner in the squad.
The Batting Core Remains Unchanged
The top 3 in the batting order will likely feature Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli. They will be followed by Shreyas Iyer making a comeback and Hardik Pandya at No. 5. Ravindra Jadeja is slated to be one of India's finishers, batting at No. 7.
Pakistan's Winning Formula
On the Pakistani side, there seems to be no compelling reason to alter their successful lineup from the Nepal game, unless unforeseen conditions or injuries necessitate changes.
Predicted Playing XIs Unveiled
India's Predicted Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
Pakistan's Predicted Playing XI:
Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
As the clock ticks down to this monumental clash, the cricketing world holds its breath, waiting to see which team will emerge victorious in this latest chapter of an enduring rivalry.