IND vs PAK World Cup 2023 | Five Players To Watch Out For
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Delhi (AP Photos)
The biggest rivalry of all will occur at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, October 14. With the hype surrounding Match 12 of the World Cup 2023 almost sky-high, the ongoing edition's hosts, India, are set to take on Pakistan.
The much-anticipated contest is just around the corner, but who are the players among the two star-studded teams to watch? Let us look at them now.
Virat Kohli
You simply cannot ignore Virat Kohli, the man of the big moments, when India versus Pakistan is on. The chase master, as he is fondly called around the globe, averages 55.16 in the ODIs against the Men in Green in the ODIs, scoring 662 runs at a strike rate of 100.60.
Virat Kohli played a gem of a knock vs AUS (AP Photos)
More importantly, Kohli has been in red-hot form in the ongoing World Cup, having made a classy 85 against Australia followed by an unbeaten 55 against Afghanistan. You are aware of the harm he is capable of when he is going through a purple patch.
Mohammad Rizwan
Similar to Kohli, Mohammad Rizwan has been in superb form during the 2023 World Cup, having scored 68 and an unbeaten 131 against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka respectively. Prior to the recently concluded Asia Cup, the Pakistani wicket-keeper batsman did not have great ODI numbers, but they have significantly improved as a result of his recent exploits.
Mohammad Rizwan after hundred vs Sri Lanka (AP Photos)
However, Rizwan has only played two ODIs against India, and in one of those games, he only had the chance to bat and lost his wicket after just two runs.
Rohit Sharma
Those who criticized Rohit Sharma for not scoring against Australia sat in pin-drop silence when he was destroying the Afghanistan attack in Delhi. The Indian skipper was at his best, having struck 131 runs in just 84 deliveries to announce his arrival.
Rohit Sharma celebrating his century vs AFG (AP Photos)
Rohit averages 49.18 against Pakistan in the ODIs, tallying 787 in 18 outings with seven half-centuries and two hundreds.
Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah began World Cup 2023 by claiming 2/35 against Australia, and followed it with a magnificent 4/39 against Afghanistan. You can predict what will happen if "Boom Boom" continues to breathe fire.
Jasprit Bumrah was pumped up in Delhi (AP Photos)
However, Bumrah's numbers must go up against Pakistan from hereon. In seven ODIs, the talismanic right-arm quick has only picked up five wickets at an expensive average of 42.60.
Haris Rauf
Haris Rauf celebrating a wicket in World Cup 2023 (AP Photos)
Despite conceding too many runs in the opening two encounters, Haris Rauf has snared five wickets in the World Cup 2023. The express pace bowler demonstrated his ability to get a breakthrough against the Men in Blue by taking three wickets in two matches at a 28.33 average.
As you can see, Babar Azam, the No.1-ranked ODI batsman in the world, Mohammed Siraj, the No.1-ranked ODI bowler in the world, and Shaheen Afridi, possibly the most complete all-format pacer right now, are not mentioned.
All of them are going through a difficult time, but who knows? Maybe some of them will decide to make a significant impact in this fixture to regain their good old form.
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