Sanjay Manjrekar picks his India’s XI for Asia Cup match against Pakistan
Rohit sharma led side will face Pakistan at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, in Sri Lanka, on September 2.
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Sanjay Manjrekar selected a group of players who could participate in India's first Asia Cup 2023 match against archrival Pakistan. Notably, the Men in Blue will face the Babar Azam-led team in Kandy, Sri Lanka, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. With less than ten days to go until the high-octane match, cricketer-turned-commentator Manjrekar outlined a possible playing XI to face Pakistan.
The former cricketer chose Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami as his three specialist pacers, while Hardik Pandya would be his fourth option. Manjrekar's India XI also includes KL Rahul, who returns after suffering an injury during the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). Manjrekar chose Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill to begin the match for India as the opening duo.
Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami would be my three seamers. Hardik Pandya would function as my fourth bowler. Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav would be my spinners. My openers would be Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. The third batter is Virat Kohli. Manjrekar stated to ESPNcricinfo that KL Rahul would participate because he is the keeper.
India will have to fit in a left-hander in Tilak Varma: Sanjay Manjrekar
Speaking about his middle order, Manjrekar indicated that either Shreyas Iyer or Tilak Varma could play in the Asia Cup 2023 match of high intensity. To add variety to the middle order, the think tank may seek to include Tilak, a left-handed batsman, given the abundance of right-handed batsmen in the lineup, he explained.
"Shreyas Iyer or Tilak Varma could play [in the middle order]. I say this because the first seven batsmen in India's first-choice XI, including Hardik Pandya, are all right-handed. India will have to find room for Tilak Varma, a left-handed individual. This is a concern in India, said Manjrekar.
Notable is the fact that Tilak earned his first ODI call-up after his stellar performances in the IPL 2023 and the T20I series against the West Indies. The youthful left-handed batsman has amassed 174 runs at an average of 34.80 in seven Twenty20 Internationals. In addition, during his outstanding IPL season, he scored 343 runs in 11 appearances at a respectable average of 42.88.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s India XI vs Pakistan: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer/ Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
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