India predicted playing 11 vs Pakistan for Match 12 of 2023 World Cup
India and Pakistan will mark the most-awaited contest of the 2023 World Cup on Saturday as they square off in Match 12 of the tournament at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The hosts enter the contest on the back of consecutive wins against Australia and Afghanistan. As for Pakistan, they defeated The Netherlands and Sri Lanka and are eyeing a third win on the bounce themselves.
In front of a packed house that could potentially shatter the record for the largest attendance for a World Cup encounter, India and Pakistan will have the attention of the world centered around the hope of the two teams producing a mouth-watering contest.
While India comfortably lead the head-to-head 7-0 in ODI World Cups, this game sits on an even keel with the team that gets the better of pressure and shuts out all the external noise bound to come out on top.
Will India make a change or two for this game though? Here, we predict the Indian XI for Match 12 of the 2023 World Cup:
Openers: Rohit Sharma (c) and Shubman Gill
On the eve of this marquee 2023 World Cup clash, Rohit Sharma declared Shubman Gill to be 99 percent fit. Having recovered from a bout of dengue, the highest ODI run-scorer of the calendar year is expected to return to the playing XI at his IPL home ground.
Ishan Kishan is likely to make way despite scoring 47 against Afghanistan. Rohit and Gill will look to continue their prolific partnership at the top of the order, with the Indian skipper entering this contest on the back of a record seventh century in ODI World Cups.
Middle order: Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul (wk)
Expect no change at all to India's middle order of Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul for this game against Pakistan. Why fix something that isn't broken in the first place, right?
Kohli has begun his 2023 World Cup campaign with twin half-centuries while Rahul, despite not batting against Afghanistan, has been in outstanding form himself having rescued India with an unbeaten 97 against Australia. The duo shared a marvelous unbeaten partnership of 233 runs when they faced Pakistan in Colombo at the Asia Cup last month.
Shreyas spent valuable time in the middle in Delhi, remaining unbeaten on 25 against Afghanistan. With Pakistan's spinners yet to hit their straps, India's No. 4 will fancy his chances of dictating terms against them on Saturday.
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja
Obvious choices again, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are sure-shot starters in India's XI. Pandya enjoyed a good outing with the ball against Afghanistan as he bagged a couple of wickets after Jadeja did the star turn with 3/28 against Australia.
Both are yet to have a substantial say with the bat in the 2023 World Cup. But with one of them playing at his IPL home ground and another having fond memories of the venue from the final of the league earlier this year, they will back themselves to come good on that front.
Bowlers: Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj
A lot of chatter ahead of this contest has been around the possible inclusion of Mohammed Shami in India's playing XI owing to how lethal he has proven to be under lights at this venue.
With Shardul Thakur doing well against Afghanistan and Mohammed Siraj remaining a pivotal cog in the side despite the hammering he took in that game, they should keep their spots in the XI intact for Saturday's 2023 World Cup encounter.
Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav have been in irresistible form and the duo will pose Pakistan's batting lineup plenty of questions should they continue to show the same rhythm they've bowled with thus far.
India's predicted playing 11 for 2023 World Cup clash vs Pakistan: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.
What combination would you choose for India's 2023 World Cup clash against Pakistan? Have your say in the comments section below!