ICC T20 World Cup: Deep Dasgupta picks Team India’s playing XI for match against Pakistan

Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta has picked his Indian playing XI for the much-awaited match against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, which will be held on October 24 in Dubai.

Along with Rohit Sharma, he kept KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan as the other opening batsman. Captain Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant completed the middle-order.

Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya (subject to bowling fitness) were included as all-rounders.

In a video on his YouTube channel, Deep Dasgupta said:

“I wouldn’t mind KL/Ishan to open with Rohit. Virat at three. Four, Surya. Five, Rishabh. Six, Jadeja. Seven, Hardik but he needs to bowl. That’s my biggest question: ‘Is Hardik bowling or not?’ But anyways hopefully, he’ll bowl.”

KL Rahul is certain to open the innings with Rohit after his exceptional performance for Punjab Kings in IPL 2021.

Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy were included as genuine bowlers.

“Eight and nine would obviously be Bumrah and Shami as of now? Bhuvi has not looked that great. So eight and nine [those two guys]. Varun Chakravarthy at ten. And eleven… seamer batter or spinner depending on the pitch. Already we have Varun Chakravarthy and Jadeja. If the pitch remains similarly slow and turn-favouring then they might play a leggie or another seamer.”

Deep Dasgupta’s India playing XI against Pakistan

KL Rahul/Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma (vc), Virat Kohli (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, (No. 11 according to pitch conditions).