T20 World Cup 2021: India's predicted playing XI for Pakistan clash

The T20 World Cup is just a few days away and the excitement for the mega event has already reached the crescendo. BCCI announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming high-profile event. A few key names were missed out from the squad, whereas there were a few interesting inclusions as well. Looking at the team, it is understood that the selectors have gone by the saying ‘horses for courses.’ The face-off between India and Pakistan is always a fascinating one to watch out for the cricketing fraternity. The two nations do not play any bilateral matches owing to the political tensions between them. The teams lock horns with each other only for the Asia Cup and the ICC events. Thus, the audacity of the occasion increases furthermore. Currently, the Indian players included in the World Cup squad are playing in the IPL. This is expected to go down as good preparation for the players ahead of the start of the marquee tournament. However, the playing conditions will vastly affect the team balance. It is no brainer that all the teams will aim that their best XI takes the charge of the field. Here is India’s predicted playing XI for the opening game: 1. Rohit Sharma Rohit Sharma. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images) Rohit Sharma is probably one of the most prolific openers in the current era across all formats. He would definitely be India’s first-choice opener for the clash against the arch-rivals. The right-handed batter is one of the very few cricketers who have a century to their name in all three formats. He has four hundreds in the shortest format and would definitely be one of the key players for the side. With the effortless straight drives, beautiful late cuts, and his signature pull shot, the batter makes cricket look a tad bit easier. However, with the plethora of experience he has under his sleeves, Sharma will know how to tackle the bowlers and thus would be instrumental in providing a steady start to the team. Talking about international cricket, he has looked in fine form. In the recently concluded Test match series, he registered his maiden overseas Test century and that would have boosted his confidence. Though these are two completely different formats, the batter would be keen on taking the momentum further for team India. 2. KL Rahul KL Rahul. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) KL Rahul’s contribution will be pivotal for India to start their campaign on a dominating note. The keeper-batter has been in an exceptional form lately. Alongside Rohit, he too has looked impressive in the Test match series against England. In the T20 format as well, Rahul is having a splendid run. In the ongoing Indian Premier League, he has successfully provided Punjab Kings with strong starts. In the tournament so far, he has chipped in more than 500 runs at a healthy average of 52.80. Though PBKS has struggled in the tournament, the skipper of the side has put some good shows to display. His sublime form will be an added advantage for the team going ahead in the World cup. He looks all set to open the innings for the team alongside Rohit. And will have a lot of hopes pinned on him to take the good form ahead. 3. Virat Kohli (c) Virat Kohli against England. (Photo by Surjeet Yadav/Getty Images) One just cannot imagine an Indian team without Virat Kohli in it. The captain leads the team from the front and brings that passion and aggression on the field. He is arguably one of the best in the business right now. Earlier, Kohli announced that he will step down as team India’s T20 captain post the T20 World Cup. A few days later, he also announced that this will be his last season as the RCB captain and that he will continue to play for the franchise only as a player. Kohli’s average across formats is pretty fascinating. The batter averages 50+ in all three formats and will be one of the biggest threats to the opposition. The flamboyant Indian captain has 28 half-centuries under his name in T20Is. In the home T20 series against England, he won the Player of the Series award for his brilliant performances. In the ongoing IPL as well, he has scored some quick runs up the order alongside Devdutt Padikkal. Kohli has scored more than 350 runs in the tournament so far and will be determined to carry the scoring momentum ahead. 4. Suryakumar Yadav Suryakumar Yadav. (Photo Source: Twitter) Considering his outstanding stint with Mumbai Indians in the IPL over the years, the batter made his India debut in the T20I series against England. In the four T20I games that he has played so far, Yadav has scored 139 runs at an average of 46.33 which includes two half-centuries as well. He is one of the key players to hold the middle order of the side. Though Suryakumar Yadav hasn’t had the best of outings with the bat in the UAE leg of the IPL, he is still most likely to make the cut. The other reason that makes his way to the playing XI is the dismaying form of Ishan Kishan. Also, his ability to score run at a quick pace and dominate the spinners in the middle overs will be a crucial thing for India in the World Cup. The batter appeared to have got back his rhythm in the match against Delhi Capitals. He scored 33 runs, which included two fours and as many sixes. Heading into the high-profile event, he will have the platform to put up his skills to display and the batter will aim to make the most of it. 5. Rishabh Pant (wk) Rishabh Pant (Photo by Alan Martin/Action Plus via Getty Images) The wicketkeeper-batter has proven his prowess across formats in recent times. He has made commendable tweaks in his batting approach and also vastly improved his keeping skills that have fetched him praises from all over the cricketing fraternity. His transformation has made him one of the most reliable players in the side. Pant has been in good touch lately as he has chipped in important runs in international cricket this year. In the T20I series against England earlier this year, he appeared quite confident. It is a no-brainer that he has turned out to be one of the game-changers for the side. In the absence of Shreyas Iyer, he was handed over the captaincy of Delhi Capitals in this year’s IPL. Though Iyer returned fit for the UAE leg of the tournament, the management decided to continue with Pant as the captain of the side. Under him, Delhi has had a splendid run in this IPL so far. The keeper-batter has smashed more than 350 runs in the tournament so far. 6. Hardik Pandya Hardik Pandya of India. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) Hardik Pandya has been one of India’s best all-rounders over the span of a few years now. However ever since he has made his return from the injury, he hasn’t been able to bring any impactful performances to the fore. Both for India and in the IPL as well, Pandya hasn’t looked in the best of his form. Also, it is still unclear if he will bowl his quota of overs in the World Cup. If Hardik bowls in the tournament, India might go with an extra spinner in the side, depending on the asks of the condition. He was last seen bowling during the limited-overs series against England and Sri Lanka. More recently he played a belligerent knock against PBKS in the UAE leg of the IPL and that came as a huge sigh of relief. He anchored the innings well and scored 40 runs off 30 balls. One knows that Hardik Pandya can prove lethal with his hard-hitting abilities. Once he gets going he can be a great threat to the opposition. 7. Ravindra Jadeja Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja appeals successfully. (Photo Source: Tharaka Basnayaka/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Think of someone who can change the fortunes of the game upside down with both the bat and ball and one wouldn’t miss the name of Ravindra Jadeja. His presence not only gives the team a strong spinner option but also allows them to have enough depth and belief in their batting lineup. Apart from these, he is an outstanding fielder who saves crucial runs for the team which becomes very important in the shortest format of the game. If the team finds itself in a spot of bother, Jadeja is capable of fetching in important runs for the side in the death overs. He can also chime in with important breakthroughs to put the team in a commanding position. In recent years, he has shown immense promise with the willow and can prove pivotal down the order. In the ongoing IPL as well, the all-rounder has been in splendid form. He has scored quick runs for CSK at a strike rate of 152.51. Jadeja has smashed 212 runs in the tournament so far and has also clinched 10 wickets. 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar Bhuvneshwar Kumar of India, (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images) Bhuvneshwar Kumar has had to face a lot of injury issues in his career but has been one of the most important links of team India’s chain. If the conditions go his way, the swing king will be important with the abilities he has to provide early breakthroughs to the team. Even if the pitch doesn’t have a lot to offer, his experience will come in handy for the team in the World Cup. The seamer was in good form against England in the T20I series. He also picked up five wickets in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. He was also awarded the Player of the Match award in the series decider against England. In 51 T20I matches, he has picked up 50 wickets. He also comes in pretty handy with the bat. Thus, he will be one of the key players for India in this tournament. 9. Mohammed Shami Mohammed Shami. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images) Mohammed Shami is one of the most dependable and skillful pacers the team has currently. With his good pace and accuracy, he can dominate the proceedings against any opposition and can run through their batting lineup. The considerable amount of experience he has can be a good asset for the side. He was impressive in the recent Test match series against England. Shami picked up 11 wickets from the three matches. Talking of the IPL, he has been one of the most important cogs of Punjab’s wheel. He is currently the highest wicket-taker of PBKS. From 13 matches, he has picked up 18 wickets. He might get a go for the first match against Pakistan and can prove extremely lethal for the side. 10. Varun Chakravarthy Varun Chakravarthy. (Photo Source: Getty Images) One name that has emerged as one of the promising talents from the IPL is that of Varun Chakravarthy. He can be a great asset for the side owing to the fact that many batters haven’t faced him. Also, he has been in great form lately. The thing that sets him apart from others is that even if he goes wicketless in a match, he bowls extremely economical spells. In the T20 format where the batters often go for big runs, the leg spinner can chime in to restrict the flow of the runs. The batters have often found it difficult to read his deliveries and that will give India an upper hand against the opposition. He is currently the highest wicket-taker for Kolkata Knight Riders. He has scalped 15 wickets from the 13 matches so far at an economy rate of 6.73. 11. Jasprit Bumrah Jasprit Bumrah of India. (Photo Source: Twitter) Ever since his debut, Bumrah has been the regular member of team India across formats. The speedster can create problems for the best of the batters with his deadliest yorkers. In the 50 T20I matches he has played so far, the pacer has already picked up 59 wickets. When in crunch situations he has been skipper Virat Kohli’s go-to man and has delivered for the team on most occasions. In the IPL as well, the script doesn’t change much as Bumrah has been one of the most influential players for MI over the years now. He has some staggering numbers in the IPL and has often sailed MI to victory from difficult situations. When it comes to death bowling, his contribution in defending the runs or not conceding many runs will be a key factor for India.

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T20 World Cup 2021: India's predicted playing XI for Pakistan clash

As India will take on Pakistan to kick start their World Cup campaign, here is India’s predicted playing XI for the opening game.

10. Varun Chakravarthy

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