Rain threat looms large over the high-voltage clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, in Asia Cup 2023. According to IMD, there is a 90% chance of a thundershower with 90% precipitation and 84% humidity expected in Kandy. The temperature is forecasted to be around 28 degrees Celsius.
India and Pakistan have not engaged in bilateral cricket since 2012, making their encounters in multi-nation tournaments all the more thrilling.
India will miss the services of KL Rahul in their opening game, who is recovering from a niggle. He will be under the National Cricket Academy’s supervision until September 4, as confirmed by head coach Rahul Dravid during a press conference this week.
Pakistan, India, and Nepal are placed in Group A, while Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka are in Group B. The tournament is following a hybrid format, with Pakistan hosting four matches across two venues and Sri Lanka hosting the remaining games.
The group stage consists of six matches, followed by the Super Fours stage starting from September 6.
The final will feature the top two teams from the Super Fours and will take place on September 17 in Colombo.
India’s Asia Cup 2023 Squad:
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas lyer, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah.