IND vs PAK: “Already Have My India Playing XI For Pakistan Match, Already Those Players Are Informed” – India Captain Rohit Sharma

India National Cricket Team captain Rohit Sharma has revealed that the playing XI of the Men In Blue has already been decided for the high-octane clash against arch-rivals Pakistan National Cricket Team at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 is scheduled to commence 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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The highly-anticipated clash between Rohit Sharma-led India National Cricket Team and Babar Azam-led Pakistan National Cricket Team will take place on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the blockbuster India-Pakistan clash, India skipper Rohit Sharma said that he doesn’t believe in last-minute decisions and hence they have already selected the playing XI and informed the players so that they can prepare well for the high-voltage game. He elaborated:

“I don’t believe in last-minute decisions. We want to keep our boys informed about team selection before so that they can prepare early. I already have my XI for the Pakistan match. Already those players are informed. I don’t believe in a last-minute thing. I want them to prepare well. We understand the importance of the India vs Pakistan match but there is no point in talking every time, even when we met during Asia Cup, we keep talking about the families, which cars do you have.

“Teams have become fearless and we’re looking to adopt the same approach. 140 used to be a winning total back then but now teams aim to reach there in 14-15 overs.”

I am looking forward to seeing Shami – Rohit Sharma

On Friday, October 14, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the veteran India National Cricket Team right-arm pacer Mohammed Shami, who has not played a T20I for India since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 in UAE, will replace injured Jasprit Bumrah in India’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 15-member squad.

While talking about Shami, the India National Cricket Team captain said that he is excited to see what Shami brings to the table in the warm-up games.

“Mohammed Shami I haven’t seen but whatever I have heard it is good. We have a practice session in Brisbane on Sunday and I am looking forward to seeing Shami,” said the India captain.

Rohit also said that a team can’t “show disappointment in injuries” and it’s important to look forward and focus on controllable.

“You can’t show disappointment in injuries, you need to look forward to what we can do. We have backed our other boys and we are backing them. Hope they deliver. We wanted to come here early and acclimatise to the situation. By the time we play Pakistan, we will be prepared. We don’t believe in last-minute information, I don’t want to believe in telling someone at the last minute that you are playing,” the India skipper added.

Rohit further heaped praise on the man-in-red-hot-form Suryakumar Yadav and said that he can be the X-factor in the marquee tournament.

“Surya can be our X-Factor. Hope he can continue his great form. He is a very confident player and he has confidence and momentum by his side currently” he added.

Also Read: IND vs PAK: Twitter Reacts As Mohammed Shami Replaces Jasprit Bumrah In India’s Squad For ICC T20 World Cup 2022