The Indian cricket team started their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign by fielding three spinners in Chennai as they went on to beat Australia by six wickets. Their second game in Delhi saw the hosts shore up the pace department by benching a spinner and playing a fast-bowling allrounder against Afghanistan.
So what will be the combination for the Pakistan contest? Will they return to three spinners or field an unchanged eleven?
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India captain Rohit Sharma is keeping cards close to his chest saying the team is ready for any combination and that a call will be taken once he has taken a look at the pitch.
“I don’t know, honestly. I don’t know,” Rohit responded when asked if they will play three spinners. “I still haven’t looked at the pitch yet, but we are ready for whatever combination we want to play.”
“That’s the challenge going forward for us as a team, depending on what kind of conditions we play in. If there is a change or two, we need to make, we will be ready with that. And the guys have been informed very well in advance about these kind of changes. So, I don’t think it’s going to be any issues with the players. But if the requirement is there for us to play three spinners, we will play three spinners,” he added.
When asked if winning toss will become a factor considering the impact dew can have in the night, Rohit said he hasn’t seen dew so far and so isn’t sure how much it can affect the outcome.
“Honestly, I don’t know how much of a factor it is going to be, because in Delhi, we were expecting dew to come in. It didn’t come. Chennai also, it was after probably 30 overs. So, you are done with 75% of the game by then. So, I don’t think toss is going to play a massive factor. It is what the team is comfortable doing, whether it is chasing, posting a total, whatever that is. You know, whatever the team is comfortable doing, we try and do that,” he said.
With India having a 100 per cent record against Pakistan in ODI world cups having beaten them on all seven of their meetings, will they take the field with a psychological advantage?
“No, I don’t think it’s a psychological advantage,” Rohit said. “Because you have to play good cricket every day. So, it’s important for us as a team that we, as I said, should not pay too much attention to what is already over. And, we should also pay attention to the fresh day, the fresh opposition. So, both the teams will start evenly. I don’t think there is a favourite or an underdog. Both the teams are equal before they go into the game. Just about handling the pressure, dictating terms on your own way. All these things matter.”
“So, I think for us it is more important how we are going into the game – now whether that is bowling first or batting – And then carrying that forward, getting that momentum forward is something that is crucial,” he added.
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