Selection Dilemma for India Before Mega Clash Against Pakistan in WC 2023
While going into the cricket World Cup 2023 Indian cricket team went through if you questions about their batting line up with experts and fans thinking how they will manage the No. 4 conundrum. However, a match-winning knock by KL Rahul against Australia and Shreyas Iyer's return to form against Afghanistan have actually allayed fears and provided the hosts with somewhat of a concrete line-up. Before the crucial match against Pakistan on October 14, that was good news for the fans, but just as one question was answered, a new dilemma reared its head. With Ravichandran Ashwin playing the first game in Chennai and then making way for Shardul Thakur in the next game at Hyderabad, a new question exists about the bowling team combination that can prove to be a major headache for selectors.
R. Ashwin has faced Pakistan eight times in his career and has taken 10 wickets at an economy rate below 5. Ashwin was a part of the 2011 World Cup-winning team, and in a high-voltage game like India vs. Pakistan, the veteran may hold the edge over Shardul if India looks to bank on his knowledge in pressure situations.