India and New Zealand stand as the sole unbeaten rivals in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. The next game in Dharamshala will see these two powerful squads go head-to-head this Sunday.
Both India and New Zealand have maintained a perfect record in the ICC World Cup tournament, with each team securing victories in all four of their matches. India emerged victorious against Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, while New Zealand notched up wins against England, Netherlands, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. This upcoming match promises to be a fierce battle for the top spot, as New Zealand currently holds the number one position, while India stands as the second-ranked team in the points table. India has encountered a significant setback with the absence of their crucial all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, who is sidelined due to an ankle injury. As a result, Team India will need to make some substantial changes to their winning lineup.
Former Indian opening batter Aakash Chopra has predicted a possible Indian playing XI with Suryakumar Yadav as Hardik Pandya’s possible replacement.
Aakash Chopra pointed out that the absence of Hardik Pandya will upset the balance in the Indian team. Pandya serves as a crucial asset for Team India, offering an additional seam bowling option and adding immense value as a reliable finisher. Aakash Chopra tweeted, “It is not ideal to have only five bowlers. It is not ideal to have batting finish at 7. But that’s the way it is. That’s what Hardik brings to the team. Balance.”
Aakash Chopra, in his suggested starting lineup, advocated for the inclusion of Suryakumar Yadav to bolster India’s middle order while replacing Shardul Thakur with Mohammed Shami. The remainder of the team remains unchanged. The venue for India’s match against Bangladesh was the MCA Stadium in Pune. Speculation is brewing about the potential addition of Mohammed Shami to fortify India’s pace attack for the game in Dharamsala.
Also Read: David Warner ‘Pushpa-raaj’ celebration after his hundred goes viral
Dharamsala’s conditions are expected to be quite favorable for seam bowlers, so Team India is likely considering the inclusion of an additional fast bowler. It wouldn’t be unexpected if India opts for both Mohammed Shami and Shardul Thakur in the starting lineup against New Zealand. There’s also talk of promoting Ravindra Jadeja up the batting order to provide more depth to India’s tail. It’s worth noting that India faced a tough loss to New Zealand in the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup.
Comments 1