World Cup 2019, Match 22 - India vs Pakistan - India's Predicted XI

With an eye on registering their third win of the World Cup, high-flying Team India will take on Pakistan in a mouth-watering clash in Manchester on June 16. India are favourites for the clash. Having defeated South Africa and Australia with quite ease so far, India have 5 points from three games after their third game against New Zealand was washed out.

On the other hand, Pakistan have managed just a solitary win from first four games. A defeat against India will all but end their semifinal hopes. So before these two great rivals lock horns in Manchester, we take a look at India’s predicted XI.

1. Rohit Sharma:

The India opener has started his World Cup in a stunning manner by scoring a century and a fifty in the first two games. Hopes will be sky high when he comes out to open the innings against the arch-rivals. With Shikhar Dhawan out of the game, the responsibility will be even more on Rohit to deliver.

2. KL Rahul:

Rahul has the opportunity to deliver and cement his place in the playing eleven. While he is most likely to vacate the opening slot when Dhawan recovers, a good show with the bat in the testing conditions of England could very well make the team-management give him an extended run at number four.

3. Virat Kohli:

Captain fantastic hit the top gear during his classy 82-run knock against Australia last week. Competitive games bring out the best in him and all eyes will be on him as he looks to marshal India to another World Cup win over Pakistan.

4. Dinesh Karthik:

With Rahul set to open the innings, Dinesh Karthik is most likely to be at number four. The toss up is between Vijay Shankar and him. However, given his huge experience, the team is likely to pick him over Shankar for the huge clash.

5. MS Dhoni:

The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman seemed to have discovered his mojo this year. A stunning century in the warm-up game and the quick 27-run knock against Australia were enough to show that he will be crucial to India’s chances in the World Cup. With Kohli leading for the first time in the World Cup, Dhoni will also be important for his leadership skills.

6. Kedar Jadhav:

Kedar Jadhav’s role is crystal clear. The team expects him to deliver in crunch situation with both bat and ball and the middle-order batsman definitely knows a thing or two about excelling in those conditions.

7. Hardik Pandya

Pandya is fast becoming one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world cricket at the moment. His performance in this year’s IPL had impressed one and all. And the way he demolished Australian bowlers during his 48-run knock, one can say that he has hit the purple patch. His bowling will also be crucial to India’s chances.

8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar:

Bhuvneshwar Kumar starred with the ball against Australia. At first, he choked the Aussie openers to put India on top. And when Australia were staging a comeback, he dismissed Steve Smith and Marcus Stoinis on back-to-back deliveries to jolt them. He went on to finish the game with three wickets.

9. Kuldeep Yadav:

Kuldeep’s form continues to be a big worry for Team India. He had a disastrous IPL where he managed just 4 wickets in 9 games and his form in international cricket has not been promising either. In the last game, he went wicketless while conceding 55 runs from his nine overs. Well, there is no better game than the one against Pakistan to make a mark and Kuldeep will be itching to get going against them.

10. Yuzvendra Chahal:

Unlike Kuldeep, his spin partner Yuzvendra Chahal continues to impress and will lead the spin attack once again. He picked up two crucial wickets against Australia and India will be banking on him to deliver the goods in the middle over once again.

11. Jasprit Bumrah:

Jasprit Bumrah continues to enhance his reputation with his breathtaking displays. He picked up three wickets against Australia and the team will rely on him once again to do the early damage.