With the win against Hong Kong, Pakistan have booked their spot in the super 4 of Asia Cup 2022. Now, fans across both the countries all are set to witness another high octane clash between India and Pakistan. Every fans across the both countries had witnessed close encounter when both these two teams had clashed with each other for the first time in this tournament, and will expect to witness the same.
Just ahead of the mega clash, Indian team got a major setback as their star all rounder Ravindra Jadeja ruled out of the tournament due to injury and, Axar Patel a like to like replacement is included in the Indian squad. Axar Patel was in traveling reserves thus have joined the Indian team and will be available for selection.
Indian team was looking settled, before this injury, but this injury forces them to do two changes in their playing 11 from the previous encounter against Hong Kong. Their star all rounder Hardik Pandya who was rested as precautionary measure, is all set to make his cut in India’s playing 11 for this high octane clash
But the real question ahead of this clash is to decide whom Indian captain will prefer in place of injured Ravindra Jadeja. There are three eligible candidates available for selection and it is going to be difficult for Indian captain and team management to decide between these three as all the three brings different dynamics to the team.
Check Out Who Presents The Best Case For His Inclusion
Rishabh Pant brings left and right combination, and in middle order his attacking approach can change the momentum in India’s favour in single over. It will be good for Indian team to have him in the playing 11, to tackle with the leg spin of Shadab Khan and left arm orthodox spin bowling of Md Nawaz in middle overs quite easily. But, if he will play this match, then Indian team have to field with only five bowling options and this reduces his playing chances, abruptly.
In form all rounder Deepak Hooda also presents a strong case for that position. He will bring consistency in the middle order along with in form Hardik Pandya and Surya Kumar Yadav. His inclusion will make, Indian middle order formidable. Deepak Hooda can also bowl some over of spin bowling, if needed. But with his inclusion, Indian middle order becomes monotonous with all right handers coming one after another which may impact Indian team plans for different bowlers in middle overs and this reduces his playing chances, abruptly.
Axar Patel presents the best case among the three candidates. With his inclusion in the playing 11, Indian team will get a like to like replacement of Ravindra Jadeja. In recent times, Axar Patel has contributed with both batting as well as bowling. Like Jadeja, he can play in the middle order, if situation allows and has the ability to hit some nasty blows down the order. Southpaw has all the ability to bowl four economical overs for his team.
By analysing the pros and cons of these three players, it seems that Axar Patel is all set to play the high octane clash against Pakistan and, he is the best suited one for that spot as well.
India’s Probable11 Against Pakistan: Rohit Sharma(c), KL Rahul (vc), Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
