The T20 World Cup 2022 got underway on Sunday with the preliminary round matches. The Super 12 round kicks off on October 22 with hosts Australia taking on New Zealand.
However, it is the mouth-watering clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, slated for October 23 at the MCG, that everyone is waiting for.
Ahead of the mega-clash against Babar Azam’s team, Rohit Sharma made a massive announcement regarding Team India’s playing XI.
Rohit Sharma says the players have been told about their place in the XI against Pakistan
Speaking on Saturday in the pre-tournament captain’s press conference, Rohit Sharma revealed that he’s already decided his playing XI for the Pakistan encounter. The match is still a week away, and there are two warm-up matches – against Australia and New Zealand – before the Pakistan match, but Rohit insisted that he’s already finalized the side and the players have been told about their place.
“I don’t believe in last-minute decisions. We want to keep our boys informed about team selection before so that they can prepare early. I already have my XI for the Pakistan match. Already, those players are informed. I don’t believe in last-minute thing. I want them to prepare well,” Rohit Sharma said.
This could mean that Mohammed Shami might miss out from the eleven against Pakistan. Shami was added on Friday as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement. Even though Shami hasn’t played in T20Is since last year’s T20 World Cup in the UAE, the selectors and management banked on his experience in Australian conditions and his form in the IPL.
Shami flew to Australia later after recovering from covid and getting fit at the NCA.
“I haven’t seen Shami as yet. But I am hearing good things about him. I will gauge him during the practice in Brisbane tomorrow (Sunday),” he added.
India squad for T20 World Cup 2022: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami.
