Asia Cup 2022: Match 2 - Predicted India Playing XI vs Pakistan

Bowlers: R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh

Ravichandran Ashwin might be preferred over youngster Ravi Bishnoi for this contest, taking the experience factor into consideration, even though the former has not been part of the Indian T20I squad throughout the year after last year’s T20 World Cup.

Yuzvendra Chahal has been consistent with the ball in hand in the last few months ever since he enjoyed a successful IPL this summer where he finished as the Purple Cap winner, bagging 27 scalps for Rajasthan Royals. Chahal has now emerged as India’s most-trusted wicket-taker, and he would be expected to maintain consistency in the Asia Cup.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been in and out of the Indian team in the last couple of years due to frequent injuries and has now fought his way back into the squad by showcasing consistent performances in white-ball cricket over the months. He has the added quality of being an economical bowler and a proven death-over specialist. In the absence of seasoned pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, the onus would be on him to spearhead the Indian pace attack.

Arshdeep Singh, on the other hand, has proved himself as a very economical bowler in the limited opportunities that he has got so far. Arshdeep is an outstanding death-over bowler with the ability to keep the batters guessing with his accurate lines and lengths. Moreover, he can also stun the famed Pakistan batting lineup with his well-disguised yorkers.

Here’s India’s Predicted XI:

Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh