Team India will be locking horns with arch-rivals Pakistan in the second match of Asia Cup 2022 on Sunday. The match will see the biggest stars of world cricket – Babar Azam, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Mohammad Rizwan, in action. Former Indian skipper, Virat Kohli is marking a comeback to the Indian team after taking a breather from the West Indies and Zimbabwe tours, in the run-up to Asia Cup 2022.
The rivalry between India and Pakistan is drawing much-deserved attention ahead of the game on social media. Cricket experts are discussing head-to-head records, the comparisons between Babar and Kohli are being drawn. Amid the piling excitement, former India opener Wasim Jaffer predicted India’s playing XI against Pakistan.
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In his tweet, Wasim Jaffer wrote: “My India XI vs Pakistan: Rohit, KL, Virat, SKY, Hardik, DK / Pant*, Jadeja, Bhuvi, Bishnoi, Chahal, Arshdeep.*If Pant plays, he should bat at no.5. What’s yours?”
My India XI vs Pakistan:
1. Rohit
2. KL
3. Virat
4. Sky
5. Hardik
6. DK / Pant*
7. Jadeja
8. Bhuvi
9. Bishnoi
10. Chahal
11. Arshdeep*If Pant plays, he should bat at no.5.
What's yours?#INDvPAK #AsiaCup
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 27, 2022
Wasim Jaffer excluded veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin from India’s probable XI. He, however, seemed caught between Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant and predicted that only one of the two would play. Jaffer further suggested that if Pant gets the nod, he should bat at no.5.
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The Asia Cup is being held in the T20 format in UAE where pitches generally offer help to the spinners. Given the playing conditions, India are likely to play at least two frontline spin bowlers. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are expected to play the role of all-rounders. India’s batting approach in T20I has changed since their 10-wicket loss to Pakistan in the T20 world Cup last year. The Rohit Sharma-led side has adopted an aggressive batting mindset in T20Is, which saw them post near 200 totals in recent times.
