The India vs Pakistan clash in this Asia Cup, like always, will be a mouth-watering contest. These are two high-quality teams, and it is always a treat for the eyes to see them go against each other. Both sides are full of brilliant batters. But what excites me more is the battle between the two pace attacks. It will be interesting to know which pace attack is more incisive in the early phases of the game. In my opinion, that is when the game could be won or lost.
The new ball is going to play a huge role, considering the conditions in Pallekele. Starting with Pakistan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf make a top-notch pace-bowling attack. One can say the same for the Indian fast-bowling unit as well that includes the likes of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
I know Bumrah is coming back to the ODIs after a long time due to injury and one cannot realistically expect him to be back to his very best from Game 1. But watch out for Shami too. I think Bumrah is getting more attention in the lead up to this Asia Cup match but in my view, Shami with the new ball, in what is likely to be overcast conditions in Pallekele, could be very threatening in the first spell.
If conditions suit Shami, I am not sure if there are too many better bowlers in world cricket than him. The way he uses the new ball, with the upright seam, is fantastic to watch. With the help of pitch and movement in the air, he can be very difficult to handle. Shami with the new ball vs Pakistan’s top-order will be some contest. Shami vs Babar Azam, especially, will be an eyecatching battle.
At the same time, keep an eye out on Siraj. He has been one of the go-to bowlers for India in white-ball cricket. I feel both sides have plenty of options with the new ball. Which of these pace attacks do better with the new ball will be decisive in the end.
Babar, a massive wicket for India
Fakhar Zaman has not been at his best of late. His confidence is a little low, but I will still play him as in the key games like India, you look at your big players and include them in the XI. Babar is Pakistan’s best player in the side and got runs in the first match vs Nepal to warm up nicely for the India match and rest of the tournament. I feel Babar and Virat Kohli read the situation of the game better than others. Kohli has a fantastic chasing record. Their ability to read the match situations, when to accelerate, when to decelerate, all of these factors make them stand out. There is no doubt that Babar will be a massive wicket for India.
Shadab Khan plays a pivotal role with the bat and ball. He holds things together in the middle with the bat. He will have a key role to play with the ball as well.
Where should Ishan Kishan bat?
With KL Rahul missing out on the first leg of the tournament, Ishan Kishan walks in. As I have said earlier that if Kishan must play in an Indian XI, his best position is at the top. I know Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill open with Virat to follow at No 3 but sometimes, you need an element of flexibility. You could go in with Kishan at the top but in my view, he should be ready to walk in at 3 if a wicket falls very early in the game. Remember that Shaheen Shah Afridi against the right-handed batters, with the ball swinging, is a lot of hard work. Left-handers, I think, find him slightly easier to play because the ball is generally swinging away, and it takes out the chances of LBW and bowled dismissals.
It might just be in India’s interest to bring in a left-handed batter at the top just to counter the threat of Shaheen. It looks likely that Shreyas Iyer will be back to playing XI and it will be fascinating to watch how he goes as he returns to such a big stage after missing out on action for a long time. Same for Bumrah. He bowled his four overs well in the T20Is vs Ireland but the real test will be in the ODIs. With World Cup so close, India will hope their ace pacer gradually returns to his best.
