T20 World Cup 2022: Match 16 - Predicted India Playing XI vs Pakistan

Team India and Pakistan are set to square off in a highly anticipated clash in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 on Sunday in the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday, October 23. The two subcontinental giants lock horns in the marquee tournament after playing each other in the recent Asia Cup series wherein they got the better of the other side on one occasion each.

The Men in Blue are riding high after the successive T20I series wins against Australia and South Africa at home. Furthermore, the side managed to dismantle the Australian side in the warm up fixture prior to the group stage matches, thanks to impressive performances from Mohammed Shami, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli.

Like India, Babar Azam’s Pakistan too recently clinched the tri-series against New Zealand and Bangladesh which has handed them a huge boost ahead of their opener. However, Rohit Sharma and Co. will keep in mind the result they endured last year at the hands of an indestructible Pakistan squad. As the match is scheduled to be played on 23 October, reports have emerged over rain potentially playing spoilsport. Assuming it does not pour down in Melbourne on Sunday, India will seek redemption and will look to seal the deal against their arch rivals.

Let’s look at India’s probable playing XI against Pakistan:

Openers: KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma (c)

KL Rahul’s unimpeachable focus at the crease will be put to test in the high-octane match when he takes on the Pakistani bowlers. However, the right hander has got accustomed to the Australian conditions with his most recent one being the vital knock of 33 balls where he scored 57 runs with a strike rate of 172.73.

Skipper Rohit Sharma can make life hell for bowlers if he gets going and the batter has proven this on numerous occasions. The captain has not found consistency in his game in recent outings but is very capable of hitting the ground running at a given point. Undoubtedly, he will look to find his form at the grand stage and getting his side off to a winning start.

Middle-order: Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Dinesh Karthik (wk)

Virat Kohli’s form has started to pick up in his recent outings following the short sabbatical he took from the sport and has relished fine outings against teams starting from Asia Cup. The flamboyant right hander will look to take giant strides and keep up his consistency.

One of the batters who is simply in sublime form is Suryakumar Yadav. The player has risen on the big occasions and has delivered when it has mattered the most for the side. The right-handed batter has been considered as the national side’s biggest x factor in recent times considering his performances. Pakistan will surely look for a solution in order to get him off the pitch as swiftly as possible.

Dinesh Karthik looks to be the frontrunner as the first-choice wicketkeeper in the squad for the match against Pakistan. The veteran batter can come towards the latter half of the innings and change the complexion of the game.

All-rounder: Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel

Hardik Pandya recently found success in the IPL after guiding his side Gujarat Titans to win their maiden title. Upon his return, the player has shown a different, more lethal version that can win matches single-handedly. The player had an underwhelming campaign in the UAE last year but will look to be integral part of the squad this edition.  

Axar Patel has found success with his accurate bowling and has been crucial for the sides he has represented coming down the order. The southpaw will get his fair share of chances to prove his mettle considering the side is down with Ravindra Jadeja’s injury, a player who was to part of the squad initially.

Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami

With the Indian bowling attack heavy on pace due to the seam-friendly conditions in Australia, the management roped in the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep and Shami. The pace spearheads can easily rip apart some of the best batters in the world. Moreover, the bowlers have got adjusted to playing down under following the matches with Western Australia XI and Australia in the warm up fixture.

Young Arshdeep has proven his credentials as a death over bowler and India will look to use his services coupled with the experience of Mohammed Shami. The veteran star got just a single over to prove himself and he did not let the skipper down against Australia in the practice match.

Whereas Bhuvneshwar Kumar knows to swing the ball both ways and can bamboozle batters with extra bounce and fair bit of swing. He will further look to use the conditions to his advantage and get batters on the backfoot.

Chahal may not be the most ideal spinner in terms of turning the ball, however, his slower balls could leave the Pakistani batter dumbfounded. Moreover, reading the right arm spinner could be tricky for the batters in the fixture and it will be interesting to see if Chahal can pull off something special in Australia.

India predicted XI against Pakistan:

KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami