ICC World Cup 2015 Match 4 Preview: India vs Pakistan; 6-0 or 5-1

Date: Feb 15, 2015   Time: 0900 IST
Venue: Adelaide Oval

ICC World Cup 2015 Match 4 Preview: India vs Pakistan; 6-0 or 5-1: No other match brings so much pressure and tension to the game of cricket as an India Pakistan encounter, that too on the biggest stage of them all, the World cup. This 2015 World cup encounter between India and Pakistan will serve as the perfect kick-start this tournament requires and which will get the supporters of both team excited and upbeat. The rivalry between the neighboring countries reach new heights as Pakistan look to end their drought of wins against India in World cup tournaments and give a formidable reply to last World cup’s semi-final loss.

Meanwhile India will look to extend that 5-0 winning streak and also find some great motivation for matches ahead in the World cup by beating Pakistan.

India:

First and foremost, India will miss the experience and expertise of Sachin Tendulkar in this high-tension match against Pakistan as he was one of the constants in the India-Pakistan World cup games and has always performed in these high pressure situations.(Also read Five tips for Dhoni which will ensure India’s victory against Pakistan)

India has had a terrible Australian tour this year where they lost the test series 2-0 and failed to win any game in the recently concluded Tri-series. They did win the 5 match bi-lateral series against England 3-1 and whitewashed SriLanka 5-0 at home.

India has looked out of sorts in both batting and bowling departments. Apart from Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina none of the batsmen have looked comfortable on the bouncy pitches in Australia. India will definitely want Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan to come good on the big day as both have been out of sorts for last few months.

But the major concern for India is the completely non effective bowling performance. Since the injury to Ishant Sharma and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, the rest of the attack has shone brief glimpses of bowling brilliance. Mohd. Shami and Umesh Yadav have bowled fast, but there direction and length has been wayward and erratic to have any effect. India will hope that the extra motivation of playing against Pakistan will bring out the best amongst the Indian bowlers.

Pakistan:

The Pakistanis have been dealing with one blow or other to their World cup preparations. Starting with the ban on bowling on Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez meant that Ajmal was left out of the World cup squad and recently Hafeez injured his ankle and is now unavailable for the World cup. Also injury to Junaid Khan meant that they were without the services of their most inform bowler.

Pakistan has roped in Nasir Jamshed and Sohail Khan in as replacements and is banking on the fast pitches in Australia to provide bounce and pace to their fast bowling unit. Mohammad Irfan is their best bet to provide early breakthroughs and spin of Shahid Afridi and Yasir Ashah will provide the backup support.

Batting wise Pakistan is very much set with their line up and the massive experience of Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq will lent them middle order support. Sarfraz Ahmad and Umar Akmal will provide the fireworks in beginning and end of the innings. They also have the best chance to beat India in the World cup, something that they have never been able to do.

So it is the time to be excited and ready for the most mouth-watering clash of this World cup. (Also read ICC World Cup 2015: INDIA VS PAKISTAN – Review and Preview of the clash of Titans)

Last 5 ODIs:

India: L.N/R.L.L.W

Pakistan: L.L.L.L.W

Possible Playing XI:

India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (C/WK), Ravindra Jadeja,Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar

Pakistan: Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shezad, Misbah-ul-Haq(C),Younis Khan, Haris Sohail, Umar Akmal (WK), Shoaib Maqsood, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan, Rahat Ali