Stakes high with undefeated rivals India and Pakistan to meet in Ahmedabad

Saturday 14 October, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

How to watch India v Pakistan

The arch-rivals share a rich cricketing history. While Pakistan outright dominates India head-to-head in the ODI format, with 73 wins to their name as compared to 56 losses, India have an enviable record in the Cricket World Cup.

Ever since their first-ever World Cup encounter in 1992, India haven’t lost a single World Cup game against them.

The stakes have climbed even higher in the much-anticipated group stage match between India and Pakistan after both teams surged through their opening two matches of the tournament.

India impressed in their first outing at the event as their spinners tore through the Australia batting line-up that was ultimately skittled for a paltry 199 runs.

The hosts had to overcome an early scare at the hands of the Australia pacers, but then cruised to the target after Virat Kohli (85) and KL Rahul (97*) took control of the contest.

India chased down Afghanistan’s target of 273 with eight wickets and 15 overs to spare in their next match, but can expect a tougher test against Pakistan.

Babar Azam’s side made light work of Netherlands to kickstart their own campaign, then impressed with the bat while sealing the highest successful chase ever in Cricket World Cups.

Pakistan might be concerned that Sri Lanka were able to put on 344 runs as Kusal Mendis (122) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (108) both got off the leash, but their own stacked batting line-up were more than up to the challenge.

‘Records are made to be broken’: Babar out to snap Pakistan losing streak

The usually-reliable Babar and Imam-ul-Haq have both missed out so far at the tournament and will be keen to make an impact against India, but Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan have already shown strong form with centuries against Sri Lanka.

The rivals have only completed one ODI match since the Cricket World Cup 2019, at the Asia Cup last month when centuries to Kohli and Rahul led India to an emphatic 228-run victory.

**India:**Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.

**Pakistan:**Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.

Rohit’s record tumbling blitz in Delhi gave India a massive run rate boost against Afghanistan.

New Zealand duo Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra showed against England that a solid base can go a long way towards success in Ahmedabad. Though he’ll be up against a much better pace bowling setup, comprising Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, India would hope that they get to the best possible start on the back of their skipper.

Rohit averages close to 50 against Pakistan, and scored a match-winning 140 in their last Cricket World Cup engagement in Manchester four years ago. There is little doubt that if the batter gets the India top-order going, the hosts will have an upper hand in the game. A good showing against Pakistan's new-ball bowlers can also boost his confidence.

Hasan Ali has proved himself to be a more than capable replacement for Naseem Shah. He is Pakistan’s best performer with the ball thus far at the World Cup, with six wickets at an average of 17.33. However, a big test awaits him in the form of this Ahmedabad contest.

His overall career average against India isn’t outstanding. It sits at 51.6 with an economy closing in on seven. But he can come into his own in the big games. He showed the same in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2017 Final, where he was Pakistan’s best performer with 3/19.

This helped Pakistan to a commanding 180-run win against India.