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Cricket

'Dil per Pathar rakh kar Virat ka naam le liye' - Fans react as Gautam Gambhir picks India's Top 4 for Asia Cup 2023 match against Pakistan

Gautam Gambhir has given his pick for India's Top 4 for the high-intensity Asia Cup 2023 match against Pakistan.

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Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir (Source: Twitter)

Team India will begin their campaign in the 2023 Asia Cup with a blockbuster clash against Pakistan on Saturday, September 2 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The Men in Blue will enter the tournament with their full-strength squad after several months with the return of KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah. However, Rahul suffered a niggle during his rehabilitation and was ruled out of the first two matches of the continental event.

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Rahul's absence has necessitated a change in India's batting order as the No. 5 position is currently vacant. However, there were reports that Ishan Kishan would replace Rahul in the middle order. Meanwhile, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has suggested a major change in India's batting order ahead of Saturday's high-octane clash.

As wicketkeeper batter Kishan has experimented in the top order in the past, Gambhir feels the southpaw should open the innings alongside Shubman Gill. There were suggestions to play Virat Kohli at No. 4, but Gambhir picked the right-hander at one down. With Kishan in the top order, Gambhir, who was part of the MS Dhoni-led side that won the Asia Cup in 2010, chose skipper Rohit Sharma to bat at number four.

β€œAgainst Shaheen Shah Afridi or Naseem Shah, whether it is Rohit Sharma or Shubman Gill, the approach should be absolutely clear. Look to score runs and not to survive because when you look to score runs, you have better rhythm, and your backlift and footwork are better," Gambhir said.

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Pakistan retain same playing XI for India clash

Pakistan have announced their playing XI for the clash against India. They have retained the same team that thrashed Nepal in the tournament opener. Given the slow nature of the Pallekele pitch, Axar Patel is likely to get the nod ahead of Shardul Thakur.

Pakistan Playing XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf

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India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan(w), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Here's how fans reacted to Gautam Gambhir's pick for India's top 4 for the Asia Cup 2023 match against Pakistan:

India Virat Kohli Pakistan Rohit Sharma Gautam Gambhir Asia Cup 2023