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Rohit Sharma-led India have reached Australia for the T20 World Cup Down Under. The Men in Blue also played their first warm-up game on Monday (10 October) against Western Australia. The team is scheduled to play two warm-up games before the second round of the tournament (Super 12s group stage fixtures) starts on 22 October. India will play a warm-up game against New Zealand and Australia.
After that India will open their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday (23 October) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Selection Committee has also announced a 14-member squad (as the 15th member, Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out with a back injury and no replacement has been announced yet). All top players have been included in the squad and a probable playing XI also looks certain.
SportsTiger looks at India’s Probable Playing XI vs Pakistan for T20 World Cup 2022.
1. Rohit Sharma
The captain and the first-choice opener, Rohit Sharma will take the first spot in India’s playing XI for the all-important game against Pakistan. Sharma has been among the runs since the 2021 T20 World Cup and will look to amend the mistakes he made last year.
2. KL Rahul
Dashing batter KL Rahul looks all set to take the second opener’s slot. Rahul looked rusty after his comeback from injury, but he regained his form in the two home T20I series he played against Australia and South Africa. So, he will take the second slot in the playing XI.
3. Virat Kohli
With Kohli back to his best, the star batter will occupy the No.3 slot in the batting position. Since his return from the month-long break, Kohli has scored runs at a decent strike rate and hence will be instrumental in India’s batting.