An India-Pakistan encounter is cricket’s most-anticipated occasion. In World Cups, the thrill reaches climactic proportions. Come Saturday, one other chapter can be added to this epic rivalry as Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium performs host to the eighth encounter between the 2 groups in ODI World Cups. India maintain the enviable document of successful all seven earlier encounters.
Will India add to their tally with an eighth victory or will Pakistan lastly handle to interrupt the jinx? There can be 22 males on the pitch who will try to depart a decisive imprint on the high-octane affair.
A lowdown on how the 2 groups stack up…
INDIA’S TOP PICKS
Rohit Sharma (Captain) ODI Batting Rank 11
A giant-stage performer, Rohit has been in great contact. Turned the latest member of the ten,000 ODI-runs membership in Sept. As soon as settled, Rohit goes on to attain huge and quick. His weak point is the ball coming again into the pads from a left-arm pacer. Shaheen Afridi can be relishing his possibilities.
Shubman Gill ODI Batting Rank 2
Rohit Sharma acknowledged on match eve that “Shubman Gill is 99% out there”. Gill’s ‘availability’, after a bout of dengue compelled him out of the primary two matches, will assist India get again to their first-choice XI. The Indian opener is the very best scorer in ODIs this yr.
Kuldeep Yadav ODI Bowling Rank 8
He may be India’s trump card as Pak batters haven’t performed Kuldeep a lot and had struggled to select him within the Asia Cup. Kuldeep picked up 5/25 as India scripted their largest win in ODIs, beating the arch-rivals by 228 runs. Kuldeep has 10 wickets in 5 video games in opposition to Pakistan to his title.
Virat Kohli ODI Batting Rank 7
The Indian workforce’s talisman. A giant match participant. At any time when India has been in bother, Kohli has stood up on most events. India’s first match of the World Cup in opposition to Australia is a sworn statement to that. At 2-3, India have been trying down the barrel and a loss appeared imminent. However Kohli, in firm of KL Rahul, dragged the workforce out of the outlet. Kohli additionally has a penchant for elevating his sport in opposition to Pakistan. He has performed 15 matches in opposition to the arch-rivals and scored 662 runs at a mean of 55.16 and a strike-rate of 100.60 with three a whole lot and two fifties to his title. His weak point is the left-arm pacer’s angle and he typically will get dismissed by poking at an away-going supply.
KL Rahul (wicketkeeper-batter) ODI Batting Rank 19
The followers’ favorite whipping boy, Rahul has let his bat do the speaking since getting back from damage lay-offs. Has gone from power to power after his 111* in opposition to Pak in Asia Cup. His 97* in opposition to Australia in Chennai was an inning of sheer class and excessive talent. With Kohli, he is a vital middle-overs bat.
Shreyas Iyer ODI Batting Rank 32
India’s most well-liked No. 4 batter. Performs any form of spin very well, can speed up within the middle-overs. The 105 he scored in opposition to Australia previous to the World Cup should have boosted his confidence. Has points in opposition to quick bowling, particularly in opposition to bouncers. Could be a handful if he performs with a nonetheless head.
Hardik Pandya ODI Allrounder Rank 7
Very important cog in India’s wheel, Hardik at all times reserves his finest for the arch-rivals. The allrounder not solely has the numbers, however a match-winning impression in India-Pakistan video games. He averages 69.67 in opposition to Pak in ODIs and a SR of 132.28. Not simply his batting, Hardik has shone with the ball too in Ind-Pak video games.
Ravindra Jadeja ODI Allrounder Rank 26
A giant-match participant, he roared again into bowling type in opposition to Australia in Chennai. His 3-D sport provides a unique string to the bow. The captain can depend upon him to bowl his 10 overs, particularly on Indian pitches. And with the bat, he’s an in a position finisher and scores at strike-rates northwards of 100.
R Ashwin ODI Bowling Rank 139
Until damage to Axar Patel, Ashwin wasn’t even in India’s 50-over plans or the World Cup. Was spectacular along with his variations in opposition to Aussies previous to the World Cup. Newly-added model of the carrom ball is a contemporary menace. Can be a useful bat. In stress conditions, among the finest bets the workforce can have within the center.
Jasprit Bumrah ODI Bowling Rank 21
The chief of Indian assault, Bumrah just lately returned to worldwide cricket after a year-long layoff resulting from damage. Quickly proved he has misplaced none of his class. His spells in opposition to Australia and Afghanistan have been incisive. Nevertheless, Pakistan have been Bumrah’s Achilles heel. He has simply 5 wickets in seven video games to his title in opposition to the archrivals with an unflattering common (42.60) and SR of 53.00.
Mohammed Siraj ODI Bowling Rank 2
The No. 2 bowler in ODI bowling rankings, Siraj goes to be the important thing with the brand new ball. Solely a handful of bowlers may be deadly with each swing and seam, and Siraj is one among them. And extra considerably, Siraj’s major weapon is the wobble seam which he bowls for enjoyable in an effort to bother the batters. Siraj is a match-winner and his never-say-die angle makes him succeed even on flat decks.
twelfth man: Shardul Thakur ODI Bowling Rank 48
Relies on the pitch whether or not he can be within the taking part in XI. It will likely be a toss-up between him and Ashwin. If the wicket has some help for the pacers, Shardul is prone to get the nod. His batting abilities down the order make him a viable possibility. The final two years have been extraordinarily productive for Shardul when it comes to wickets within the ODI situation. However whereas his draw back is his poor financial system fee, Shardul could be a partnership breaker.
Rahul Dravid (coach)
Wants no introduction. A veteran of 164 Exams and 344 ODIs, the embellished batsman took up the teaching job of the senior workforce in 2021 after Ravi Shastri’s contract got here to an finish. Thought-about as one of many biggest modern-day batters, the 50-year-old has over 10,000 runs in each Exams as nicely One-Day Internationals.
PAKISTAN’S TOP PICKS
Babar Azam (captain) ODI Batting Rank 1
The most effective within the enterprise. The No. 1 in ODI batting rankings. A connoisseur’s delight. ODI common is a excessive 57.09, however Babar has a mediocre document in opposition to India – not even one half-century in seven video games. Babar’s weak point is the away-going ball which he tends to edge to the slip cordon.
Imam-ul-Haq ODI Batting Rank 9
The left-hander takes a while to settle, however as soon as in, can play huge, impactful innings. Regardless of being compact, he’s susceptible early on. Has a penchant for driving away from his physique. Averaged 72.14 (strike-rate 94.75) in ODIs final yr. This yr (avg 36.54, SR : 79.17) has been underwhelming.
Saud Shakeel ODI Batting Rank 257
Gutsy left-handed batter is extra at house within the Check area, with a mean of 87.50. ODIs are new for him, however he confirmed huge potential within the two World Cup video games performed up to now. Technically sound in opposition to each tempo and spin, can take the aggressive route too. May very well be examined in opposition to the Indian spinners.
Shadab Khan ODI Allrounder Rank 14
The spin spearhead within the facet, he varieties the think-tank together with Babar and Rizwan. In 7 matches in opposition to India, he averages 72.20 with ball, SR of 65.40 and ER 6.62. Averages 19.33 with the bat, which does not do justice to his capability. May come underneath ?re on Saturday by likes of Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul.
Hasan Ali ODI Bowling Rank 88
Bought a shock call-up to the squad after Naseem Shah received injured. The skilled pacer has picked up six wickets from two matches within the World Cup. File in opposition to India is disappointing. He averages 51.60, strikes at 46.20, and has an financial system fee of 6.70 in ODIs in opposition to the neighbours.
Shaheen Afridi ODI Bowling Rank 11
Nicknamed ‘The Falcon’, Afridi is likely one of the few gamers within the Pakistani lineup who enjoys a superb document in opposition to India. An out-and-out match-winner, the six-feet-four quick bowler can change the course of a sport in his opening spell itself. He has immense management with the brand new ball in addition to the previous. Nevertheless, he has not been at his finest within the World Cup. Some consultants have even questioned his health. Nonetheless, he stays Pak’s most important attacking weapon. How he bowls on the day will go a great distance in deciding the result of the match.
Abdullah Shafique ODI Batting Rank 187
Proved the rabbit out of Pak’s hat when he was picked forward of Fakhar Zaman and got here up with a glowing 113 in opposition to Sri Lanka as Pak chased down 344. Pak’s most well-liked Check opener, Shafique’s method is fairly good too. How he counters Bumrah and Siraj may have a big bearing on their rating.
Mohd Rizwan (wicketkeeper-batter) ODI Batting Rank 40
The engine room within the Pak set-up, Rizwan’s confidence should be sky-high after his match-winning unbeaten 131 in opposition to Sri Lanka. Is having fun with a wonderful 2023 with 827 runs at avg of 75.18 and SR of 94.73. Performs within the Javed Miandad mould by knocking singles and twos and working onerous between the wickets.
Iftikhar Ahmed ODI Batting Rank 96
Referred to as ‘Ifti chacha’ by his adoring workforce, Pakistan media and followers, he’s one among their most skilled gamers and an influence hitter down the order. An ODI SR of 106.12 says all of it. If he manages to get 10-15 overs in direction of the top, Iftikhar has the sport to hit boundaries at will. Might be completely brutal.
Mohammed Nawaz ODI Allrounder Rank 73
One other utility participant, Nawaz affords management with the ball when the opposition batters are on prime. Identified for his quickfire knocks as an efficient lower-order bat. Guided his workforce to victory with a brisk 42 off 20 balls in final yr’s Asia Cup tie in opposition to India. May very well be very important in opposition to India’s right-handers.
Haris Rauf ODI Bowling Rank 20
The enforcer in Pak’s bowling lineup. Rauf makes issues occur along with his thunderbolts at over 150kmph. Bowls a imply slower supply too. Has been in wonderful type this yr, with 29 wickets from 15 video games. Will come onerous at Indian batsmen. Nevertheless, he has the tendency to offer away runs when he goes for wickets.
twelfth man: Mohammad Wasim Jr. ODI Bowling Rank 94
A quick bowling allrounder, Wasim Jr. may get a look-in ought to Pakistan go in with 4 fasts. With a slingy motion, Wasim Jr. can generate excessive pace and is adept at bowling yorkers. Pak’s most well-liked loss of life bowler earlier than Naseem Shah made a stunning entry into the workforce. No bunny with the bat, he’s a six-hitting slogger.
Grant Bradburn (coach)
Took over the reins of the Pakistan workforce in Might this yr. A former New Zealand off-spinner, the 57-year-old Bradburn performed seven Exams between 1990 to 2001. Bradburn had coached Scotland after being on the helm of the Kiwi home facet Northern districts and the New Zealand U-19 workforce.
