‘India ka pehla niggle aagya finally’ – Fans react to KL Rahul replacing Shreyas Iyer against Pakistan during Asia Cup 2023

After India’s opening match against Pakistan in this year’s Asia Cup had to be abandoned due to constant rains, the two teams are playing their second game today. While India still had a few unanswered questions before declaring their final team, skipper Rohit Sharma justified the changes in the line-up.

Due to the injuries he sustained during this year’s IPL, KL Rahul has rejoined the Indian team after a lengthy absence. But Rohit explained at the toss that Shreyas Iyer had sustained a niggle (back spasm) and had to sit out. So India is going to go with both KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan, with the latter donning the wicket-keeping gloves while fielding

With four consecutive half-centuries in the past four games and a double-century at the start of the year, Kishan has been in excellent form in 2023. After a rough start, Kishan’s 82-run innings in the previous game against Pakistan were essential in anchoring the Indian batting and advancing the team above 250 runs.

Jasprit Bumrah was also anticipated to resume his spot in the Indian XI alongside KL Rahul after being absent from the match versus Nepal owing to the arrival of his firstborn. Mohammad Shami, the fast bowler, was anticipated to be replaced by Bumrah, and Rohit Sharma confirmed this at the toss.

No changes for Pakistan as they opt to field first

Pakistan captain Babar Azam claimed the toss and chose to send India in to bat. The starting lineup for Pakistan versus Bangladesh in Lahore has been kept the same for this encounter. A four-pronged pace attack consisting of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Faheem Ashraf will be used by Pakistan against India.

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

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

Fans react to KL Rahul replacing Shreyas Iyer against Pakistan during Asia Cup 2023: