After grabbing the top spot in all formats, India is all geared up to face Pakistan in the upcoming 2023 Cricket World Cup on October 14 in Ahmedabad. Due to the heightened diplomatic tensions between the two nations, India and Pakistan no longer engage in bilateral series but only meet in multinational matches. Because of the limited encounters, there is so much hype around these battles. The last time Pakistan toured in India was during the 2016 World Cup under Shahid Afridi’s captaincy. After a gap of seven years, the neighbors will collide again in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Watch India vs Pakistan world cup 2023 live on YuppTV and never miss the high-octane action.
India and Pakistan have become dominant forces in ODI cricket in the last few years. India recently jumped to the number one position across all formats and seized Pakistan’s top position in the ODIs. Both teams are brimming with confidence to enter the campaign with arguably their strongest possible side. Ahead of the blockbuster encounter, let’s look at both squads.
Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Surya Kumar Yadav.
Here are some of the most impactful players to watch out for in India – Pakistan collision.
- Virat Kohli – The list must start with India’s run machine and undoubtedly one of the world’s modern best batter, Virat Kohli. This India’s ex-skipper has been India’s strength over the last many years and provided many unforgettable victories. Cricket fans have so many outstanding innings etched in their memory where Kohli single-handedly anchored victories to India amid hopeless situations. His numbers scream at his magnificent record over Pakistan, and Kohli enjoys massive respect and admiration from almost all Pakistan players who have publicly expressed it on multiple occasions.
- Rohit Sharma – The current Indian captain is known for his massive talent and effortless hitting. Rohit scored 720 runs in the 16 matches against Pakistan in ODIs, including two centuries and six half-centuries. In the 2019 World Cup match against Pakistan, he shattered their bowlers and made 140 in 113 balls.
- Jasprit Bumrah – Bumrah is back in the Indian squad after recovering from injury. He played five ODIs against Pakistan and has taken four wickets. His Yorkers and length deliveries will scare even the best of the batters. Bumrah is a player to watch in this World Cup.
- Ishan Kishan – Ishan is enjoying his prime form and is sure to impact the ongoing World Cup. This left-handed wicketkeeper batter has emerged as one of the most valuable players along with Shubman Gill.
- Babar Azam – The Pakistan skipper is the No. 1-ranked ODI batter in the world and is consistently performing for his team. Babar made Pakistan a formidable team over the last few years with his batting and leadership. By beating India in the 2021 T20 World Cup, Babar became the first Pakistan skipper to defeat India in a World Cup event. He already scored two centuries and six half-centuries in 2023 and is all equipped to unleash his beast mode in the 2023 World Cup.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi – Ever since he debuted in 2018 as an 18-year-old boy, this left-hand pacer has been leading the Pakistan bowling attack. He was instrumental in registering Pakistan’s first win against India in the 2021 T20 World Cup. His penchant for scalping wickets in his first over and providing much-needed breakthroughs is one of the reasons for Pakistan’s supremacy in the ODIs.
- Haris Rauf – Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi handed many victories to Pakistan in the limited overs. All set to play his first World Cup game against India, all eyes are on this pacer.
Watch India vs Pakistan live on YuppTV and cheer your favorite team.
