IND vs PAK: No Place For Tilak Or Suryakumar As Aakash Chopra Picks India's Playing XI For India vs Pakistan Contest

Ahead of the much-awaited India vs Pakistan clash in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, former batsman Aakash Chopra has revealed his India Playing XI for the mega clash. The arch-rivals are scheduled to lock horns against each other at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday (September 2).

Team India will have their task cut out against the high-flying Pakistan team. While India have had the upper hand in the rivalry in recent years, their inconsistent displays in the last couple of years or so and Pakistan’s solid displays during the same period have tilted the balance slightly in the latter’s side.

And while only time will tell which team wins the upcoming India vs Pakistan clash, Aakash Chopra has predicted the team combination for the Men in Blue. With a number of big names returning to the team after recovering from injuries, the team-management will have its task cut out when it sits down to pick the final eleven.

Aakash Chopra picks India’s Playing XI for India vs Pakistan match:

The biggest concern for the Indian team-management will be to pick the number five batsman. With KL Rahul out of the India vs Pakistan match owing to a niggle, the Indian team will have to select a replacement. The likes of Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan will be the options for the Indian team-management.

And Aakash Chopra believes that the Indian team will go with Ishan Kishan ahead of the likes of Varma and Yadav. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former cricketer-turned-commentator began by picking Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli as India’s top three for the India vs Pakistan clash. He then picked Shreyas Iyer for the number four slot before selecting Kishan.

“If we see logically, I feel Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will only open. You will see Virat Kohli only at No. 3. I personally don’t see them moving up or down the order. I feel things will be as expected.”

For the number six slot, he went with Hardik Pandya followed by Ravindra Jadeja. For the number eight slot, Aakash Chopra said that he would pick one between Shardul Thakur and Axar Patel, saying: “Our team doesn’t look like playing four bowlers because we like a batter at No. 8.”

So one of Lord Thakur and Axar. The opposing team has three left-handers – two openers and Mohammad Nawaz down the order. I think Lord Thakur might actually get the nod. Kuldeep Yadav and then Bumrah and Shami, that’s my XI, don’t know what the Indian team will play,” he added.

Aakash Chopra’s India Playing XI for India vs Pakistan clash:

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur/Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami.