IND vs PAK: Robin Uthappa Feels That Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh Are Absolutely Certain In India's Playing XI For T20 World Cup 2022

Veteran India National Cricket Team batter Robin Uthappa, who announced his retirement from international cricket on September 14, 2022, has opined that the senior pacer Mohammed Shami and young pacer Arshdeep Singh will be sure-shot starters in the India National Cricket Team playing XI for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 commenced on October 16 with the group stage matches. The Super 12 round will commence on October 22 and the final is set to take place on November 13 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

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In their tournament opener, Rohit Sharma-led India National Cricket Team will lock horns with Babar Azam-led Pakistan National Cricket Team on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

India will be without the services of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in the marquee tournament and Shami, Arshdeep, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel are the 4 pacers in India’s 15-member World Cup squad.

Meanwhile, Uthappa believes that Shami and Arshdeep are the sure-shot starters while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel will be vying for the third pacer’s slot.

“It will depend on how many fast bowlers they are going to go with because you also have Hardik Pandya there… I would go with Arshdeep Singh, Shami… I think it will be between Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar) and Harshal Patel as to what you want to do,” said Uthappa in a chat with ESPNcricinfo.

How these fast bowlers do in those next two practice games is going to be very crucial – Robin Uthappa

Ahead of their tournament opener, India National Cricket Team will be playing two practice matches against Australia and New Zealand on October 17 and 19 respectively.

Uthappa feels that the performance of the pacers in the practice games will play a huge role in their selection in the playing XI.

“I think it’s the current form that is going to play a role in who is going to eventually fit into that fast bowling line-up. How these fast bowlers do in those next two practice games is going to be very crucial to who is going to end up playing in the XI,” said the former India batter.

Also Read: IND vs AUS: India’s Playing XI For Australia Warm-Up Match In ICC T20 World Cup 2022