IND vs PAK: Bizarre! Mohammed Shami's Ouster From Playing XI Disappoints Fans

India revealed their playing XI at the toss of IND vs PAK clash of Asia Cup 2023. Mohammed Shami was a key player who was not part of the playing XI. Shardul Thakur was picked as one of the pacers in the match replacing Mohammed Shami.

IND vs PAK match of Asia Cup 2023 is set to be played on Saturday (September 2). The venue of the clash is Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka. Rohit Sharma is the skipper of India. Babar Azam leads Pakistan.

Also Read: IND vs PAK: Explained: How India Can Qualify For Super Four Stage Even With A Washout Against Pakistan

Mohammed Shami Dropped From Playing XI, Fans Calls It Bizzare Decision

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma revealed India’s playing XI during the toss. Fans were surprised to see Mohammed Shami not part of the playing XI. Some fans called it a bizarre decision.

Shami also started trending on X just after his absence from playing XI. Have a look at some of the tweets below.

Dropping Shami for Shardul makes no sense or what so ever. I hope this decision doesn't cost us the game. #INDvsPAK #AsiaCup23 https://t.co/wzWZdmzlkH

— ABHISHEK BISWAS (@IM_AB7) September 2, 2023

@BCCI
It appears India wants to lose 1st match vs Pakistan. Choosing Siraj & no Shami is very bad team selection. With no off spinner, India is going on the defensive & are planning not to win

— Raghavendra Rao (@Raghave20472340) September 2, 2023

Why is it #Shami not playing in 11 ? #INDvsPAK
In an ODI, bowling depth is much more crucial than batting depth. Shami should be in place of Shardul.#Bumrah, #Shami, #Siraj would have been great combination for pace attack.

— Vinay Kumar Sahu (@vinay_ku_sahu) September 2, 2023

Shardul Thakur is playing over Mohammad Shami. This is a bizarre decision.#INDvsPAK #INDvPAK #AsiaCup2023 #AsiaCup23pic.twitter.com/21rioSUvtt

— Abdullah Neaz (@Abdullah__Neaz) September 2, 2023

Seriously ?

Ishan Kishan On No.3
Virat On No.4
Shardul In Place Of Shami pic.twitter.com/Zr6upABgbT

— Aufridi Chumtya (@ShuhidAufridi) September 2, 2023

Shardul Thakur instead of Shami#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/1VIsJuJiP2

— Rofl Democrazy (@FakeerHun) September 2, 2023

No Shami in the playing 11 and Ishan Kishan is slated to bat at no.3.
This fool BCCI team deserves to lose ??
What the hell is this selection ? #INDvsPAK | #AsiaCup2023 | #PAKvsIND | #AsiaCup23 | #Shami | #CricketTwitter

— GAFOOR GHISELA (@ParitoshK_2016) September 2, 2023

#INDvsPAK

Shardul Thakur wasn't competing with Mohammed Shami/Mohammed Siraj for the Playing XI spot. The toss-up was/always will be between Axar Patel and Shardul. The long tail will make it difficult for India to play Shami, Siraj, Bumrah together.

Balance is key

— Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) September 2, 2023

No Mohammed Shami in the playing XI… That is surprising ?#INDvsPAK #AsiaCup2023 #Shami pic.twitter.com/zw6uzMxEqE

— Mohammed Rafi (@Rafi_mohammed1) September 2, 2023

Where is Shami pic.twitter.com/P8zdnbaLVf

— Amrit Chandravanshi (@Ek_Indian07) September 2, 2023

Not sure if Shami is completely fit to bowl the 10 overs – but if he is – would have wanted to see him in the eleven. Again, if it’s a fitness call which I don’t know, not much of a choice. #INDvPAK #INDvsPAK #AsiaCup2023

— RK (@RK_sports) September 2, 2023

For the pacers, India have picked Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj. Suryakumar Yadav was also dropped from the playing XI. For spinner, Kuldeep Yadav got a place in the playing XI.

Here is India’s playing XI for the match– Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan (wk), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Also Read: IND vs PAK: Tilak Varma Shares Cryptic Post To Drop Major Hint On His ODI Debut In Asia Cup Against Pakistan

Notably, Mohammed Shami has been a regular part of India in ODIs this year. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, the right-arm pacer led the pace attack for India with his teammate Mohammed Siraj.

Meanwhile, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first in the match. Earlier, Pakistan had revealed their playing XI for the match. Babar Azam will lead the team in the match. Below is Pakistan’s playing XI for the match.

Also Read: IND vs PAK: Rohit Sharma Eyes Magnificent Milestone In ODIs During Asia Cup 2023

Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(C), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.