Asia Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill departs

By Akanksha - September 10, 2023 - Last updated on Sep 10, 2023 05:03 PM

Pakistan won the coin toss and elected to bat first, while India revealed their lineup at the toss, making two changes to their playing XI. Shreyas Iyer's injury led to his replacement by KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah returned to the Indian side.

Babar Azam's Pakistan had previously defeated Bangladesh by 7 wickets in their initial Super 4 match and aimed to replicate that success against India to secure a spot in the tournament's final. Pakistan's pace attack, featuring Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah, had been in outstanding form during the Asia Cup, claiming 23 wickets in just three matches.

India also had reasons to be optimistic after a convincing 10-wicket victory over Nepal in their previous encounter. However, the Rohit Sharma-led team planned to approach this match differently from their last encounter with Pakistan. In that game, India faced difficulties against the Pakistani pacers and found themselves struggling at 66 for the loss of four wickets. Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya then stabilized the innings with a partnership of over 100 runs, helping India set a target of over 250 runs.

Initial concerns about rain disrupting the India vs. Pakistan clash had eased, as the weather in Colombo had improved.

India vs Pakistan Match Highlights

• Strong start by Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.
• Gill maintained the pressure at one end while Rohit Sharma played cautiously.
• Gradually, both batsmen began to unleash their shots and punished every Pakistani bowler.
• Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma both reached their respective half-centuries, putting Team India in a favorable position.

5⃣0⃣th ODI FIFTY! ? ?

Captain Rohit Sharma marches past the half-century in 42 balls ? ?

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/kg7Sh2t5pM#TeamIndia | #AsiaCup2023 | #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/HDpd0yj16N

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 10, 2023

• Spinner Shadab Khan provided Pakistan with their first breakthrough by dismissing skipper Rohit Sharma, who returned to the pavilion.

ASIA CUP 2023. WICKET! 16.4: Rohit Sharma 56(49) ct Faheem Ashraf b Shadab Khan, India 121/1 https://t.co/kg7Sh2t5pM #INDvPAK

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 10, 2023

• Shaheen Afridi, thanks to a clever move by Babar Azam's captaincy, then took the wicket of Shubman Gill, instead of facing Virat Kohli.

ASIA CUP 2023. WICKET! 17.5: Shubman Gill 58(52) ct Agha Salman b Shaheen Afridi, India 123/2 https://t.co/kg7Sh2t5pM #INDvPAK

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 10, 2023

In the middle, we've got two fresh faces at the crease: Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. Babar's captaincy has been exceptional, particularly his decision to reintroduce Shaheen right after Rohit's dismissal, which paid off with a crucial wicket. KL Rahul, who hasn't been at the batting crease for over four months, is now facing the challenge. As it stands, India has accumulated a total of 131/2 in 19 overs.

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