India vs Pakistan: Key player battles to watch out in marquee ODI World Cup 2023 clash

As India is set to face arch-rival Pakistan at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, fans are anticipating a thrilling game. This match has the potential to make and destroy the careers of various people on and off the field. So ahead of the marquee game, let's have a look at key player battles in the India vs. Pakistan match in the ODI World Cup 2023.

#5. Mohammad Rizwan vs Kuldeep Yadav

Star Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been phenomenal throughout the ongoing tournament. He has been the highest run scorer for Pakistan in the first two games of the tournament. In the marquee clash, he will be more threatening to India compared to Babar Azam. Rizwan has an average of 65.67 in T20Is against India, but he has failed to replicate it in ODIs.

In the recently concluded Asia Cup, he was dismissed for just two runs. However, one can't ignore his current form, and there it comes to Kuldeep Yadav. As Rizwan mostly bats in the middle overs, Kuldeep will be a key challenge for him. His numbers against left-arm spinners are also very poor, which will help Kuldeep exploit the best of him. It's worth noting that Kuldeep has been phenomenal throughout the ongoing years in middle overs.

#4. Jasprit Bumrah vs Imam-Ul-Haq

Star India pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be key to India's success in the upcoming game. His outstanding record against Pakistan and current form makes him a player to watch out for. In the upcoming match, Bumrah will be a key challenge for Pakistan opener Imam-Ul-Haq. Haq, who has been a great batter for Pakistan, has struggled a lot against Bumrah.

In the last four years, Haq has faced Bumrah twice and has failed to counter him. He has played 12 balls and scored just four runs against Bumrah. On the other hand, Bumrah has dismissed him in the recently concluded Asia Cup and has an average of 12.0 against him. It will be a key encounter that might decide the fate of this game.

#3. Mohammad Siraj vs Abdullah Shafique

Amid a poor performance from Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan made a bold change in playing XI against Sri Lanka. The team featured young Abdullah Shafique on the biggest stage, and he performed exceptionally. His batting performance helped Pakistan register the highest-ever run chase in the prestigious tournament.

However, the match against India will not be easy for the young batter. He will have to face pacers like Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. His biggest threat will be Siraj, the world's number-two bowler, who will be looking to hunt his first prey in the tournament. His sheer pace and bouncers will be difficult to face for Shafique.

#2. Rohit Sharma vs Shaheen Afridi

Star India batter and skipper Rohit Sharma will be looking to continue his dominance in the ongoing tournament. He smacked a brilliant century against Afghanistan on Wednesday and will be looking to continue his dominance. Rohit's numbers against Pakistan are amazing in ODI cricket, and one can't forget his 140 against Pakistan in the last edition of the World Cup.

However, the biggest threat for the Indian skipper will be left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. Afridi has a great record against Rohit. Rohit has a poor record against left-arm pacers. In the first game of the tournament, Rohit was dismissed by Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc for a duck. Afridi will look to exploit Rohit's weakness.

#1. Virat Kohli vs Haris Rauf

Star India batter Virat Kohli has been phenomenal against Pakistan in all formats of the game. He has been the highest run scorer against them in white-ball multinational events. His amazing batting performance during the recently concluded Asia Cup and last year's T20I World Cup still haunts Pakistan cricket fans.

However, one of the biggest threats to Virat would be Haris Rauf. The Pakistani pacer is looking in red-hot form, as he has been phenomenal in his first two games. Rauf, who balls in the middle overs, will be a threat for Virat. It's worth noting that till now Virat has dominated Rauf amazingly, but it's a game of a ball.