India will face arch-rivals Pakistan in match number 12 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 to be played at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on 14th October 2023. Both teams are coming off victories as Men in Blue registered a thumping 8-wicket win over Afghanistan while Pakistan chased down 345 against Sri Lanka at Hyderabad.
Indian team has been on a roll as they won 7 matches in World Cup history since 1992. It promises to be an exciting encounter between these arch-rivals. Their performances in this year’s edition have been impressive and would look to continue their winning form.
Here we look at the 5 Players To Watch Out For
- Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill is a 99 percent available selection for tomorrow’s match against Pakistan. He missed the first two matches against Australia and Afghanistan due to dengue. His performance at this venue has been exceptional.
He will play a key role in providing an attacking start in the first 10 overs and put pressure on the Pakistani bowling lineup. Gill looked in sensational touch during the Super 4 match against Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf. He provided a flying start keeping pressure on the pace bowling department.
Gill would look to dominate the Pakistan bowling and make sure that India can put enough pressure back. If he can provide a superb start in the first 10 overs, then Men in Blue will ensure that they keep the momentum going for the Indian team.
Playing his debut World Cup match in front of a capacity crowd, Gill would look for a brilliant start and help Team India register victory.
- Babar Azam
The Pakistan captain Babar Azam had a disappointing start to the World Cup 2023 being dismissed cheaply in both matches against Netherlands and Sri Lanka. He looked out of sorts in the Super 4 match against India where he was bowled by Hardik Pandya.
He has a disappointing record against India in the One-day international format with only 168 runs from 7 matches (6 innings) including the best score of 48. Babar Azam needs to step up as a batter and play a captain’s knock that would ensure that Pakistan put some pressure on the Indian bowling lineup.
Coming at number 3, Babar Azam must play a special knock that would ensure that Pakistan would register the first-ever victory in World Cup history.
- Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has been in sensational form so far in the World Cup 2023. He remained not out on 55 in the previous match against Afghanistan hitting winning runs. Kohli played a brilliant knock during the Super 4 encounter of Asia Cup 2023 and made the batting look easy.
Kohli has the habit of scoring big runs against Pakistan. He has scored 662 runs in 15 matches (15 innings) including the best score of 183. His role is to play according to the situation and put pressure on the opponent.
Kohli would look to create a major impact with his shot-making and ability to hit big shots. Coming at number 3, he will play a key role in keeping the momentum going if Rohit and Shubman Gill provide an attacking start.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
The left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has been a lethal bowler for Pakistan providing early breakthroughs. He looked out of colour for Pakistan in the previous match against Sri Lanka.
During a league stage match against Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi had a dream spell dismissing Rohit Sharma and Kohli. He then dismissed Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja to finish with figures of 4 for 35.
He will play a key role in providing early breakthroughs to put pressure on the Indian middle order. His ability to swing the ball, especially Rohit Sharma would be important as the pitch would become easy to bat on.
- Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah has been performing brilliantly for India so far. He was brilliant in the previous match against Afghanistan picking up 4 for 39 in his 10 overs. On a placid batting paradise, Bumrah got rid of Ibrahim Zadran.
He bowled with variations and did not allow the Afghanistan batters to score runs quickly, also picked wickets to stem the flow of runs. Bumrah bowled with great control in the Super 4 match against Pakistan.
His role is to provide early breakthroughs and put the Pakistani team under immense pressure. Bumrah has picked 5 wickets from 7 matches against Pakistan at an economy of 4.82 runs per over and figures of 2 for 23.
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