15JUNE2019 STATE OBSERVER
After having their last fixture against New Zealand washed out, the Indian team will be raring to take the field when they face arch-rivals Pakistan in the most anticipated clash of the ongoing World Cup at the Old Trafford on Sunday.
Manchester: After having their last fixture against New Zealand washed out, the Indian team will be raring to take the field when they face arch-rivals Pakistan in the most anticipated clash of the ongoing World Cup at the Old Trafford on Sunday.Having secured convincing wins over South Africa and Australia in their first two matches, the Men in Blue were not even able to get on the field for their third match against the Black Caps which was called off due to rain. Against Pakistan, India have a perfect record as they have won all their six encounters in the previous editions of the showpiece event and thus, Virat Kohli’s men would be brimming with confidence considering their past record against the arch-rivals. However, it would not be that easy this Sunday as they would be without the services of their in-form opener Shikhar Dhawan. The opener got injured during the match-winning knock he played against Australia at The Oval in London on June 9. He has been sidelined for at least two-three matches with a fractured thumb. In his absence, K.L. Rahul will open the innings with seasoned campaigner Rohit Sharma. Kohli would be hoping that the duo give them a solid start and lay the platform for him and the other batsmen in the middle-order. India’s bowling has also been pretty good with all the four bowlers — Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav — among the wickets.
