Team India is all set to lock horns with arch-rivals Pakistan on 23 October at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Both teams are eagerly waiting for the face-off as they only get to play each other in multi-nation tournaments or ICC events. Indian captain Rohit Sharma had said a few days back that he has already zeroed upon the eleven names that will be featured in India’s squad on D-day.
While the top four is already known to all, the real trouble begins after that. India have played Rishabh Pant in some games at No.5 , while Hardik Pandya has batted at the same position in a few games. Dinesh Karthik has been used as a finisher with Axar Patel filling in Jadeja’s spot. The main problem for the team management has been accommodating Pant and Karthik together. Playing these two together will mean that Patel will have to sit out and India will have to rely on Hardik Pandya to bowl his full quote of four overs.
This strategy has backfired in a few games. However, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid still want to go ahead with it for the mega clash against Pakistan. Axar Patel and Harshal Patel are likely to face the axe in the match against Pakistan. This means that both Pant and Karthik will be playing the all-important game. Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Arshdeep Singh will form the pace attack for India. Yuzvendra Chahal will be the lone spinner in the playing XI.
How will this strategy pan out?
Playing only four full-time bowlers will mean Hardik Pandya will have to fill in for the rest four overs. It’s not that Pandya is not a reliable option, but India has been struggling to defend totals as of late. The Rohit Sharma-led team lost two games at Asia Cup 2022 defending 170+ runs. The problem resurfaced in the home series against Australia and South Africa. With no Jasprit Burmah around, it will be a massive challenge for the Indian bowlers to contain the flow of runs.
India's probable XI for match against Pakistan: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh