Cricket’s biggest rivalry is set to take centre stage once again, despite it being a one-sided affair in recent times, as India take on Pakistan in the Group A clash at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, 15 February.
It has been all talk as of now. Not necessarily from the players but from the higher-ups in the sport, politics and more. But the time for talk is now over and it’s time to walk the talk on the field. Both teams come into this game having been unbeaten so far, and whilst it looks like both India and Pakistan are going to head into the Super 8s, this fixture will not be one that will be taken lightly by any means.
Over the last few games between these two teams, India has been outright dominant for the most part. Despite having brief hiccups, the Men in Blue have come out on top against their next-door neighbours.
IND vs PAK: WHAT DID SURYAKUMAR YADAV SAY?
India captain Suryakumar Yadav had a witty response when asked about the Pakistan skipper wanting Abhishek Sharma to play: “If he wants him to play, then we’ll play him tomorrow. Done.”
On the pressure of India-Pakistan matches, Surya was candid. “It’s more about the occasion. It’s a big platform,” he said, acknowledging that “no matter how much you say it’s just another game,” players know what’s at stake. “We don’t play them regularly,” he added, but emphasised the team’s approach is to “keep things simple.”
Addressing Pakistan’s mystery spinner Usman Tariq and his unusual action, Surya showed confidence: “We cannot just surrender to him. We practise with similar types of bowlers and similar actions.”
On team selection with multiple spin and pace options available, Surya admitted it’s a “good headache” and “very difficult to decide which fast bowler to play” given the quality of bowlers like Bumrah, Arshdeep, and Siraj competing for spots.
IND vs PAK: WHAT DID SALMAN ALI AGHA SAY?
Pakistan’s stand-in captain, Salman Ali Agha, downplayed the noise around mystery spinner Usman Tariq ahead of the blockbuster IND vs PAK clash.
“You guys made Usman Tariq so big. For us, just like there are 15 players, Usman is also there,” he said, though he acknowledged the spinner as “a trump card for us.”
On the controversy surrounding Tariq’s bowling action, Salman was dismissive: “He doesn’t care about these things. Since the time he started cricket, these talks have been going on about him.”
Addressing the lead-up uncertainty and boycott threats, Salman maintained composure: “We were prepared for everything; whether we play or not.”
On the lack of handshakes during the Asia Cup, he called for better spirit: “The game should be played the same way as it has been since the beginning of cricket.”
IND vs PAK: TEAM NEWS
For the defending champions, the spotlight will be on the hard-hitting opener, Abhishek Sharma, who missed their recent game against Namibia having been hospitalised due to illness and subsequently discharged. The good news is that he has joined the squad and was spotted training with the team during their net session before the game.
Another interesting aspect to watch out for is whether India could drop Arshdeep Singh to accommodate a specialist spinner in Kuldeep Yadav or an all-rounder like Washington Sundar. There is a perception that spin might be the way to go, considering recent performances, and the options are open for the Indian team.
But there is a slight conundrum India has in that regard. In Kuldeep Yadav, India has a specialist left-arm wrist-spinner who knows the conditions in Colombo, considering his vast international experience. But Washington Sundar, despite being a capable bowler, offers more with the bat if need be, and his addition could also allow the Indian batting unit to continue playing fearlessly and take on the Pakistan bowlers.
According to a report by PTI, Pakistan might be looking to make a few changes, going away from their spin-heavy attack to a relatively safer and more diverse one, which gives them enough alternatives. From a five-man spin unit, it could be a more even two-spinner and two-pacer combination.
This means that one of the all-rounders among Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf could be benched for the big match. The report suggests that Nawaz could be the one who is benched purely because of match-ups, considering India has a heavily left-handed batting unit, which is not the ideal match-up for a left-arm orthodox bowler.
But the decision is not set in stone; the management wants to have a look at the pitch once again and take into account the weather conditions as well before making a final call.
IND vs PAK: FULL SQUADS
India’s Full Squad: Ishan Kishan (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel (VC), Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Abhishek Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar
Pakistan’s Full Squad: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha(C), Babar Azam, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Usman Khan(WK), Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Khawaja Nafay (WK)
IND vs PAK: PREDICTED XI
India’s Likely XI: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel (VC), Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy
Pakistan’s Likely XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (C), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (WK), Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmad, Usman Tariq, Salman Mirza
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