In the Cricket World Cup 2023 match against Pakistan, the Indian cricket team will have to make a difficult decision between Shardul Thakur and Ravichandran Ashwin for their starting eleven.
Many, including fans and analysts, were uncertain about how the Indian cricket team would handle the No. 4 dilemma going into the 2023 Cricket World Cup. But shreyas Iyer’s comeback against Afghanistan and KL Rahul’s game-winning stroke against Australia have actually allayed worries and given the hosts a relatively solid lineup. That was excellent news for the fans ahead of a crucial match against Pakistan on October 14, but as soon as one question was resolved, another one emerged.The bowling team combination has become more complicated, and selectors may have a lot of trouble choosing it now that Ravichandran Ashwin will play the first game in Chennai and then make way for Shardul Thakur in the second game in Hyderabad.
Pitch factor: The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is known for having a pitch that is ideal for hitters and slightly helpful for quick bowlers. With Mohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami dominating the top wicket-takers list in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Rashid Khan stands out as an obvious exception. Even while statistics only tell part of the tale, they help strengthen Shardul’s nomination. The fast bowler has had an incredible run of form at the Narendra Modi Stadium and is the most successful bowler in history when it comes to Twenty20 Internationals played there.
Batting can be key: When it comes to the playing XI against Pakistan, Shardul’s danger as a batter gives him an additional significant edge over Ashwin. The Indian cricket team may try to include both all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya in the batting order in addition to adding more firepower to a surface that is known for offering excellent support to hitters. While Shardul has demonstrated his mettle recently, Ashwin is still a valuable asset when it comes to batting with the tail. His combination of fast bowling and batting ability will make him the clear favourites for the match.
Experience holds the key? Despite the fact that the odds are significantly in Shardul’s favour, Ashwin’s experience is something that will always be valued. A classic comeback story, the veteran surprised everyone by making a comeback in the Australia ODI series right before the World Cup. With a respectable showing, he even managed to get into the competition instead of the injured Axar Patel.Being a member of the 2011 World Cup winning team, Ashwin has faced Pakistan eight times in his career and has claimed ten wickets at an economy rate of less than five. In a high-stakes match like India vs. Pakistan, the seasoned player may have the advantage over Shardul if India looks to rely on his experience playing under duress.
