Indian cricket team is all set to play the much-hyped clash against the arch-rivals Pakistan on September 19 and it promises to be one of the most competitive clashes between both the teams in recent times. Indian team will try to get over from their loss at Champions Trophy 2017 final against the Green Army to get ahead in the tournament. The Men in Blue are the more experienced side but the absence of Virat Kohli will be a big hole to fill up for the Indian players.
On the other side, Pakistan's confidence is sky-high as they beat the Indian team when they last met. The Green Army has a lot of talented players like Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali who can turn the tables on the opposition.
What to expect: It will a high voltage clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. Both the team India and Pakistan have equal chances to win the clash as it will be a battle between quality bowling of Pakistan and talented batting of India. It will be a huge task for Rohit Sharma to prove his captaincy skills after India horrible performance against rookie Hong Kong, however, India won the match by 26 runs.
Interesting stats before India vs Pakistan
1. Pakistan destructive opener Fakhar Zaman has three hundreds and a half-century in his last five ODI.
2. Yuzvendra Chahal has golden chance to become third fastest to 50 ODI wickets (in 27 matches) as he just two behind former Indian fast-bowler Ajit Agarkar (23 matches) and Kuldeep Yadav (24 matches).
India need to find the perfect combination in the clash of titans. Here is the Probable XI of India for the clash against Pakistan.
Rohit Sharma (C)
He has the huge responsibility of leading the side in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli. All eyes will be on him as he can change the course of the game on his own.
Shikhar Dhawan
The left-handed opener is a consistent performer on sub-continental wickets and the Pakistan game will determine whether the Delhi batsman can be relied upon in the future.
KL Rahul
The talented batsman has the responsibility to fill up the shoes of Virat Kohli in the middle-order and it will be the perfect match for him to cement his place in the next year's ICC World Cup.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (WK)
Without MSD's experience and inputs, it will be difficult for the Indian team to survive in the tournament. He just needs to promote himself up in the batting order to get settled on the pitch.
Ambati Rayudu
It will be a tough call for the team management to choose between Rayudu and Manish Pandey but there are chances that the Andhra batsman will have the extra edge.
Kedar Jadhav
He is the small packet with big fireworks for the Indian team and is set to make his return to the team after a serious injury. Jadhav's unorthodox spin will also help Men in Blue in the UAE.
Hardik Pandya
The last time when India played against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2017 final, Pandya was the lone warrior for the team. He will be the key player in the game against the arch-rivals.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
The Swing King of India will lead the bowling charge of the Men in Blue as he aims to come back after a back injury.
Kuldeep Yadav
He is one of the most effective spinners in the world at the moment and his variations could trouble the Pakistan batsmen in the middle overs of the innings.
Yuzvendra Chahal
He will accompany Kuldeep on the slow tracks in UAE and his flighted deliveries could breach the Pakistan batting order.
Jasprit Bumrah
After a successful England tour Bumrah will be hoping to blow away Pakistan's batsmen with his toe-crushing yorkers.
