(Cricket news) India and Pakistan are all set to go head to head in the opening match of the Asia Cup. The last time these two sides met, Pakistan won very comfortably by 10 wickets. This time around India will be looking for revenge. The Indian team looks quite well settled despite missing the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel. Captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid have got the team to play a fearless brand of cricket. Dravid himself won't be present during the match as he has Covid. VVS Laxman will assume the post of head coach till Dravid returns. The match will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
India's ideal playing XI:
Openers: Rohit Sharma & KL Rahul
The Indian captain and his deputy's inclusion is a no brainer. The pair will have a huge role to play in order to get India off a flying start. Rohit Sharma has been starting things off in an aggressive manner for a while now but it is important that Rahul does the same and doesn't go on the back foot. He has been out with an injury for a while and only just returned for the Zimbabwe series which means that he could be a little rusty. Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav could all open the innings if necessary as India don't have another opening batter in the squad.
Middle order: Virat Kohli & Suryakumar Yadav
This will be a very important match for Virat Kohli, if he does get some runs then it will be a massive confidence booster. Suryakumar Yadav has been really good for India over the past few months. He will be really crucial due to his ability to score runs all over the ground. If things do go south at the start then these two have the ability to sure things up by farming the strike and pushing for twos. Deepak Hooda is the other option to play at number 3 or 4.
Wicket keeper: Rishabh Pant
Choosing between Pant and Dinesh Karthik is going to be a very difficult decision. Pant is likely to get a nod purely because he is a left hander and the only one apart from Ravindra Jadeja. Karthik is considered as a specialist finisher but India do have Pant, Hardik Pandya and Jadeja who can play that role. There is also an outside chance that both could play but that is very unlikely.
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya & Ravindra Jadeja
Jadeja and Pandya are perhaps the most important players for this Indian side due to their all-round ability. They both will be equally important with the bat and their role as bowlers will change depending on the conditions. It will be interesting to see if and when the batting order changes with the situation because if Rishabh Pant isn't at the crease then India may send Jadeja ahead of Pandya just to get a left hander in the middle.
Seamers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar & Arshdeep Singh
India have only 3 seamers in the squad which is an indication that they will be playing 2 seamers in the match. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is one of the most experienced players in this team and will be leading the attack. His performances have always been to the mark especially with the new ball. India has been grooming Avesh Khan for a while now but in his short career Arshdeep Singh has made an impact on the side. He will be playing a very important role in the side with the new ball and at the death. Hardik Pandya will be assisting the seamers with the ball.
Spinners: Ravichandran Ashwin & Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal is India's premier spinner in whiteball cricket. He will be very crucial for the side. His role in the team is pretty clear as he will be bowling in the middle overs to try and break partnerships. Ravi Bishnoi has been the 2nd spinner but the fact that India have selected Ravichandran Ashwin means that he is likely to play. Ashwin did play ahead of Bishnoi at times in the West Indies series as well. Ashwin's ability to bowl at any time in the innings and his batting prowess coming at number 8 gives him the edge.
Bench: Deepak Hooda, Dinesh Karthik, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan
Also read: What are the areas of concern for India ahead of the Asia Cup?
