パワープレイ効果！ Rohit Sharma vs Babar Azamの戦いは、ドバイの死んだデッキでインド党とパキスタンを決定することができます

You might wonder reading the headline as to why the openers would hold the key for the mega show that is the India vs Pakistan match at the ICC Champions Trophy. Well, let me assure you that it would be the powerplay overs that could well be the make-or-break phase in this high-octane battle. Rohit Sharma has a massive advantage if it turns out to be since the Indian openers are in superb form. On the contrary, Pakistan will miss Fakhar Zaman and a struggling Babar Azam would be struggling under pressure.

Dead Dubai track crucial for Rohit, Babar

On a Dubai surface that is expected to play slow and low, early momentum will be crucial, and both teams will look to their top-order stalwarts to set the tone. Rohit Sharma, India’s captain and premier aggressor, thrives on dominating the first 10 overs, while Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam is the glue that holds their batting together. Having said that, we might just not see Babar opening the innings. He might drop to his preferred number three slot.

Regardless. the initial overs could be the deciding factor. You see, if Bangladesh didn’t lose their early wickets in a cluster, they would’ve surely gave India a run for their money. Rohit and centurion Shubman Gill accumulated almost 70 runs in the powerplay, setting up a platform for a superb win.

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Pakistani pacers to repeat heroics?

If history is any indication, the team that wins the powerplay often wins the game. Pakistan’s two most massive ICC victories over India in the last decade—the 2017 Champions Trophy final and the 2021 T20 World Cup clash—came on the back of their fast bowlers dismantling India’s top order inside the first six overs. Shaheen Afridi, in particular, will be itching to recreate his T20 World Cup heroics, while Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf add further firepower. On the other hand, India’s seamers, led by the experienced Mohammed Shami, will be tasked with unsettling Babar and Co. before the sluggish nature of the pitch takes pace out of the equation.

While India’s dominance over Pakistan in ICC events remains well-documented, the opening exchanges in Dubai will be a test of both intent and resilience. If Rohit and Shubman Gill can weather the early storm and counterattack, India’s middle order will be in prime position to capitalize later. Virat Kohli’s form would be under scanner as well. He has struggled quite a lot in recent times, despite scoring a fifty in an ODI against England. The slowness of the Dubai pitch got him against Bangladesh and the threat of Abrar Ahmed would loom large on the modern-day great. Regardless, he is an unstoppable beast against Pakistan.

Virat Kohli stats vs Pakistan in ODIs

• Innings: 16
• Runs: 678
• Highest Score: 183
• Average: 52.15
• Strike Rate: 100.29
• 100/50: 3/2

Probable India & Pakistan Playing XIs