Cricket World Cup 2023: India's Predicted XI vs Pakistan - Suryakumar Yadav, All-Rounder Spot In Focus

The Indian cricket team is set to lock horns with arch-rivals Pakistan in the ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Both teams are coming into this contest on the back of victories in their last couple of games, but India have looked more convincing with their performances so far. Moreover, India has a slight mental edge going into this contest as they have always maintained an upper hand over Pakistan in ODI Cricket World Cups, and they also registered a massive 228-run victory over their arch-rivals in the recent Asia Cup 2023 clash. It remains to be seen how this battle is going to turn out now. Here we shall take a look at India's playing XI for this highly anticipated clash against Pakistan.

Openers: Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill missed the first two matches of the tournament as he was reportedly suffering from dengue but skipper Rohit Sharma said that there is “99 per cent chance” of the youngster making his ODI Cricket World Cup debut. In Gill's absence, Kishan opened the batting but it is likely that he will not find a place in the playing XI against Pakistan. Rohit made a duck against Australia but he bounced back with a 131 from just 84 deliveries against Afghanistan. He is expected to carry his form forward.

Middle-order: Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul

Kohli, Iyer and Rahul will slot in at No. 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Kohli has enjoyed great success in this tournament so far, playing match-winning hands of 84 and 55* against Australia and Afghanistan respectively. Iyer got dismissed for a duck against Australia but remained unbeaten on 25 against Afghanistan. KL Rahul, who has been in sublime form since his return from injury, has also