India mauled Bangladesh by 60 runs in New York on Saturday to win the warm-up match in which they utilized services of 12 players from the 15-member squad.
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Virat Kohli did not play the warm-up game, neither did Yashasvi Jaiswal, which are the two names among whom India will decide who partners skipper Rohit Sharma to open batting. However, former India batsman and Star Sports commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu was clear about the pair that will open India’s batting against Ireland on June 5.
“The practice game has made it clear that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will open,” said Sidhu on Star Sports, despite Kohli and Jaiswal both not featuring in the warm-up match where India scored 182 for 5 batting first.
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Rohit scored 23 off 19 balls, but the Indian showstopper in batting was Rishabh Pant who hit 53 off 32. Other notable contributors were Hardik Pandya (40 not out off 23) and Suryakumar Yadav (31 off 18).
“There are more chances of Shivam Dube playing because he featured (in the warm-up game),” said Sidhu, who possibly reasoned it on the basis that allrounder Dube was utilized both as a batsman and bowler ahead of Axar Patel, who only bowled in the warm-up game.
Dube scored 14 off 16 balls and bowled an impressive three-over spell of 2 for 13. Axar delivered two overs and took 1 for 10. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh registered the best figures among Indian bowlers with 2 for 12 in three overs.
“One thing is sure: five (specialist) bowlers will play,” Sidhu reckoned.
“If you want to play an extra spinner against Ireland, which should be the case, then it’s very clear that in place of Mohammed Siraj, you will play Yuzvendra Chahal,” Sidhu said, favouring the leg-spinner.
“If Kuldeep and Yuzi Chahal bowl in tandem against Ireland, the weakness of the opposition makes your strength,” he concluded.
Besides India and Ireland, Group A consists of Pakistan, co-hosts USA and Canada.
After opening their campaign against Ireland, India will take on Pakistan in tournament’s big game on June 9 in New York.
Sidhu’s Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj/Yuzvendra Chahal