The much-awaited cricket spectacle is upon us, with India and Pakistan set to face off at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on October 14, marking a pinnacle in their intense cricket rivalry. Fans worldwide have eagerly anticipated this clash for months, and now it’s here. Both teams have displayed strong form in the World Cup, each securing victories in their previous matches. India currently holds the second position on the table with a net run rate of 1.500, while Pakistan follows closely behind at third place with a net run rate of 0.927.
THE VENUE FOR INDIA-PAKISTAN GAME:
The match at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, with its flat surface and fast outfield, favors batsmen who can rotate the strike and build their innings. However, it also offers advantages to spinners with its turning and stopping behavior.
Average 1st Inns scores: 235
Average 2nd Inns scores: 203
TEAM PREVIEW
INDIA
India enters this match following a commanding victory against Afghanistan. They skillfully restricted Afghanistan to 272-8 on a favorable batting pitch at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. In the chase, they effortlessly achieved the target in just 35 overs with 8 wickets in hand. Captain Rohit Sharma led the charge with a remarkable 131 runs off 84 balls, marking his seventh ODI World Cup century—the highest by any player in history.
Rohit boasts an impressive track record against Pakistan in 50-over cricket, amassing 787 runs in 18 matches at an average of nearly 50, including 2 centuries and 7 half-centuries.
Another formidable player against Pakistan is the in-form batsman Virat Kohli. He has accumulated 662 runs in 15 ODIs against them, maintaining an average of 55 with 3 centuries and 2 half-centuries. Kohli has also displayed strong performances in the first two games of this World Cup, scoring 85 and an unbeaten 55. He poses a significant challenge to Pakistan’s bowling attack.
In the absence of Shubman Gill, recovering from dengue, there’s added responsibility on India’s middle order. KL Rahul steps into this role, showcasing excellent form since his return from injury last month. In the Asia Cup last month, he notably struck a century against Pakistan. Rahul was also the Player of the Match in India’s opening game against Australia, where he played a crucial unbeaten 97 in a challenging chase of 200 when India was 2-3 at one point.
India possesses a robust bowling unit to complement their strong batting lineup. Leading the pack is Jasprit Bumrah, who has excelled since his return to international cricket in August. He played a pivotal role in the previous game against Afghanistan, concluding with figures of 4-39 from 10 overs on a flat surface. His opening spell will be crucial for India, and he’s anticipated to claim a couple of top-order wickets during the powerplay.
Kuldeep Yadav, with 14 wickets in the last 7 matches, is another bowler that Pakistan will need to be wary of. In their previous encounter, Kuldeep decimated the Pakistani batting lineup with a five-wicket haul. Although the wicket in this match is expected to favor batting, Kuldeep has a knack for taking wickets in the middle overs.
EXPECTED XI OF INDIA v PAKISTAN:
Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
PAKISTAN
Pakistan enters this match with a boost of confidence from their recent victory. They achieved a record run chase of 345 to defeat Sri Lanka in Hyderabad, securing two wins in as many matches at the start of the tournament. Mohammad Rizwan (131*) and Abdullah Shafique (113) were standout performers with the bat, showcasing the team’s ability to win even without star batter Babar Azam performing at his best.
Shafique’s impressive performance in his first World Cup game solidifies Pakistan’s top-order batting. Rizwan has been a reliable performer in tense situations, amassing an impressive 484 runs in the last 10 matches at a remarkable average of 80.67.
Babar Azam has had a relatively quiet World Cup thus far, but his status as Pakistan’s premier batsman cannot be discounted. He has amassed 335 runs in his last 10 matches, maintaining an average of 37.22. The flat pitch in Ahmedabad provides an opportunity for him to score big.
Pakistan’s bowling attack is consistently formidable, although they might rue the runs conceded in the initial 30 overs of their previous match against Sri Lanka. However, they showcased resilience, restricting Sri Lanka effectively in the last 10 overs, ensuring the target remained within reach.
The fast bowling pair of Shaheen Shah Afridi (18 wickets in the last 10 matches) and Haris Rauf (19 wickets in the last 8 matches) pose the primary threat to Indian batters. Hasan Ali, who replaced Naseem Shah in the squad, has also been impressive, securing four wickets in the previous game.
The absence of potent spinners might prove detrimental to Pakistan in this match. Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Iftikhar Ahmed have struggled to impose themselves against the opposition, making it unlikely for them to create significant pressure on India’s in-form batsmen.
EXPECTED XI OF PAKISTAN v INDIA
Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
PREDICTION FOR THE MATCH
India holds an impeccable 7-0 head-to-head record against Pakistan in the ODI World Cup, and they have remained undefeated against them in the last five ODIs. However, Pakistan enters this game with newfound confidence, believing in their potential. India, being the home team and in exceptional form over recent weeks, holds a slight advantage.
Match Prediction: India To Win This High Octane Clash