WC2023: Rohit's 'hitman' show steals the spotlight as India crushes Pakistan by 7 wickets

• India's unbeaten streak against Pakistan in the world extends to 8-0 as collective effort helped India win the match
  
• Mohammad Nawaz continues, but Shreyas Iyer is determined to finish the game. He powers a brilliant four which completes his half-century, sealing the victory for India. The crowd erupts in joy. India triumphs, chasing down the target with flair
  
• Hasan Ali attempts to create an impact in the attack but faces resistance from KL Rahul, who notches a boundary. The over concludes with a series of dots. India's score reaches 186/3 after 30 overs
  
• Mohammad Nawaz toils in the attack, but KL Rahul showcases his prowess with a glorious four. The over unfolds with a blend of attacking shots and dots. India stands at 182/3 after 29 overs
  
• Haris Rauf with another over. The batsmen manage to rotate the strike effectively, with a mix of dots and well-taken singles. India's score reaches 176/3 after 28 overs
  
• Mohammad Nawaz persists, offering no respite to the batsmen. The over follows a pattern of dots and singles, maintaining the tension of the chase. India stands at 170/3 after 27 overs, requiring 22 runs to secure victory
  
• Haris Rauf charges in, aiming to make a breakthrough. The over is a mix of dots and well-run singles, showcasing the balance of power between bat and ball. The score nudges to 168/3 after 26 overs
  
• Mohammad Nawaz stays in the attack, locking horns with the batsmen. The over witnesses a series of dots, displaying both bowler's resilience and batsmen's caution. The last three balls garner singles, taking India's score to 165/3 after 25 overs
  
• Shaheen Afridi continues, maintaining pressure with dots and restricting the flow of runs. A cautious approach by KL Rahul as the over concludes. India's score nudges to 162/3 after 24 overs
  
• Mohammad Nawaz resumes, trying to turn the tide for Pakistan. The over features singles and dots, as India's score moves to 161/3 after 23 overs
  
• Shaheen Afridi strikes a crucial but late blow, shattering the crowd's excitement. Rohit Sharma departs after a phenomenal knock of 86 runs from 53 balls. Iftikar Ahmed's catch leaves the stadium in stunned silence. KL Rahul comes at number 5. India's score stands at 157/3 after 22 overs
  
• Rohit Sharma dominates the scene, unleashing a storm at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Mohammad Nawaz faces the brunt as Rohit hammers a boundary, nearing yet another century. India's total crosses 150. India at 154/2 after 21 overs, only 38 runs needed
  
• Shadab Khan feels the pressure as Rohit Sharma takes charge. A single starts the over, followed by dots and some brilliant strokeplay. Rohit Sharma's four and a massive six exhibit his prowess. The over concludes, and India stands at 142/2 after 20 overs
  
• Mohammad Nawaz fights back, delivering three dots. A single provides respite, and the partnership between Rohit and Iyer crosses the 50-run mark. The over concludes with a single. India maintains the momentum at 129/2 after 19 overs
  
• Shadab Khan feels the heat as Shreyas Iyer announces his arrival with a splendid six down the ground. The crowd erupts in excitement. The over sees singles and dots, yet the six underscores India's intent. The score reaches 127/2 after 18 overs
  
• Mohammad Nawaz stages a comeback, keeping Shreyas Iyer at bay initially. However, a couple of runs on the last ball add to India's total. The chase maintains momentum at 119/2 after 17 overs
  
• Shadab Khan perseveres, conceding a single on the first ball. Rohit Sharma unleashes a glorious shot on the third ball, while the last three balls end in dots, but India's path to victory seems clearer. The score stands at 116/2, with the target now within reach
  
• Haris Rauf unleashes thunder, but Rohit Sharma responds with pure disdain, smashing a massive six. Rohit remains the linchpin of India's charge, leading them to 111/2 after 15 overs. And that's DRINKS BREAK.
  
• Shadab Khan enters the arena, seeking to turn the tide. Rohit Sharma's 53rd half-century arrives with a single on the first ball. The crowd roars in appreciation. The innings evolves, mixing caution and aggression, bringing up India's 100.
  
• Rauf continues. Iyer, resolute, showcases a brilliant shot for four, asserting himself against Rauf. Singles keep the innings ticking. Rohit Sharma lingers on the edge of a milestone, just one run away from 50. India is at 96/2
  
• Hasan Ali strives, but Iyer's eyes gleam with determination. A punishing boundary on the first ball displays Iyer's intent. Singles keep the scoreboard ticking, but Hasan Ali fights back, creating dots. India's total rises to 88/2
  
• Haris Rauf brings the heat, an intense over. A single starts the dance, but Rauf's yorker is unforgiving, resulting in dots. A sharp bouncer keeps the batsmen at bay. India maneuvers to 81/2 after 11 overs
  
• Hasan Ali charges in, building the moment. Singles rotate as the tension escalates. Hasan Ali's delivery, Kohli's swing—OUT! a moment of truth! Caught by Nawaz! The crowd gasps as Kohli departs. The stage shifts, Iyer steps in. India stands at 79/2 after 10 overs
  
• Haris Rauf charges in, injecting energy into the contest. Rohit Sharma, the Hitman, defies with a monstrous six. Tension rises as a direct-hit opportunity slips, Kohli breathing a sigh of relief. Another breathtaking six by Rohit Sharma adds to the drama. Thats 50-run partnership for the duo. Pakistan hunts desperately for a breakthrough. India's pursuit stands at 77/1 after 9 overs
  
• Mohammad Nawaz takes over the bowling. The first two balls yield singles, followed by a dot. Rohit Sharma unleashes a brilliant six on the fourth ball, captivating the crowd. The over concludes with another single. India moves to 64/1
  
• Rohit Sharma announces his presence with a trademark six on the first ball of the over, followed by a dot. A single and a glorious pull shot by Kohli bring up a quick fifty for India. Kohli follows it up with another splendid shot. The stadium is electric. India is 54/1 as 15 runs come from that over
  
• Hasan Ali tightens the screws, conceding only a single. Rohit Sharma faces the majority of the over with no room for scoring. The score remains at 39/1.
  
• Shaheen Afridi delivers a steady over, allowing just three singles and a wide. Virat Kohli concludes the over with a glorious shot. India's score stands at 38/1
  
• Hasan Ali is back into the attack for Pakistan. The first ball results in a dot. Rohit Sharma then unleashes a glorious shot on the second ball, sending it for a boundary. The following two balls are dots. However, on the fifth ball, Rohit plays yet another splendid shot for another boundary. The last ball of the over is a dot. The score moves to 31/1 after 4 overs
  
• Shaheen Afridi returns for his second over. The first two balls see no runs, putting pressure on the batsmen. On the third ball, Rohit Sharma takes a single. OUT! Shubman Gill attempts a punch on the fifth ball but finds Shadab Khan, resulting in his dismissal for 16 runs off 11 balls. The score is 23/1 after 3 overs. Virat Kohli is at Number three.
  
• Hasan Ali takes the ball for the second over. The first two balls result in dots, but Shubman Gill unleashes a series of boundaries on the following three balls. He hits the third ball for four, the fourth ball is a dot, and then he smashes the fifth and sixth balls for consecutive boundaries. Shubman Gill is on fire, asserting himself in the chase. The score surges to 22/0 after 2 overs
  
• Rohit Sharma takes the strike for India. The first ball is a flick to the leg side for a beautiful four. Rohit continues his aggressive approach, taking a single on the second ball. On the third ball, Shubman Gill executes a delightful cover drive for another boundary. The next two balls are dots, followed by a leg bye. There's a small appeal on the last ball, but the umpire remains unmoved. The score is 9/0 after the first over
  
• India begins their chase against Pakistan in this high-octane encounter
  
• Ravindra Jadeja is brought back into the attack. The first four balls result in just a single. On the fifth ball, there's a strong LBW appeal, and although the umpire initially rules it not out, India takes a review. OUT! The review overturns the decision, and the batsman is declared out. With that, Pakistan is all out for 191 runs
  
• Hardik Pandya returns for another over. He bowls a tight over, giving away only a single from the last ball. The pressure is mounting on Pakistan, and they are finding it challenging to score runs. The score stands at 190/9 after 42 overs
  
• Ravindra Jadeja continues his spell. OUT! The first ball of the over results in a wicket as Hasan Ali skies it, and a straightforward catch for Gill. Ali departs for 12. Haris Rauf comes in as the new batsman. Jadeja bowls tight lines, allowing just 2 runs off the next 5 balls. The score is 189/9 after 41 overs
  
• Hardik Pandya comes back into the attack. The first ball sees Hasan Ali going for a counter-attack, hitting it straight down the ground for a boundary. Hasan Ali then takes a single. The following balls result in dots. Last ball of the over, and straight up in the air. OUT! Jasprit Bumrah takes a comfortable catch as Nawaz departs. This marks the second wicket for Pandya. The score is 186/8 after 40 overs
  
• Ravindra Jadeja is brought into the attack. The over begins with a single and then an edged ball that manages to get past Rohit Sharma at slip and races to the boundary for four. The rest of the over sees a couple of dot balls and a single. The score moves to 182/7 after 39 overs
  
• Jasprit Bumrah comes back for his 7th over. The over begins with a leg bye, followed by a series of dot balls. On the fifth ball, there's a strong LBW appeal, but the umpire gives it not out, and there is no DRS for this. The over concludes with a perfectly executed yorker, resulting in a dot ball. The score remains 176/7 after 38 overs
  
• Kuldeep Yadav bowls his final over, maintaining a tight line. The batsmen struggle to score freely, with most balls resulting in dots. However, they manage to take a few singles. Kuldeep ends his spell with just 4 runs conceded in this over. The score is 174/7 after 37 overs. Pakistan is facing a challenging situation
  
• Jasprit Bumrah is back into the attack and makes an immediate impact. The first ball yields a single. BOWLED! Shadab Khan departs as a deadly off cutter that hits the top of off stump and clips the bail. Shadab Khan departs for 2 runs off 5 balls. Pakistan 172/7 after 36 overs. Pakistan is losing wickets at crucial junctures. Hasan Ali is at the crease with Mohammad Nawaz.
  
• Kuldeep Yadav returns for another over. He keeps it tight, allowing only 3 runs from the over. The batsmen struggle to find gaps and assert themselves as India continues to apply pressure. The score is 170/6 after 35 overs. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz is on the crease.
  
• Indeed, Rohit Sharma's strategic bowling changes have proved pivotal for India. The well-timed introduction of bowlers and their subsequent performances have played a significant role in breaking partnerships and keeping the pressure on the Pakistani batting lineup
  
• Bumrah makes a return to the attack. He starts with three consecutive dot balls, putting pressure on the batsmen. However, the fourth and fifth balls yield singles, and Mohammad Rizwan reaches his well-fought half-century. BOWLED! Bumrah strikes on the last ball as Rizwan departs for 50. The score is 168/6 after 34 overs
  
• Kuldeep Yadav continues to make an impact. The first two balls are dots, building the pressure. An LBW appeal on the second ball leads to a DRS review, and OUT! Saud Shakeel's dismissed for 6 runs off 10 balls. Iftikhar Ahmed replaces him but is bowled out on the sixth ball, attempting a sweep. Double blow for Pakistan as the score reaches 166/5 after 33 overs
  
• Mohammad Siraj continues his aggressive spell. The first ball of the over yields 2 runs. He follows up with a well-executed delivery resulting in a swing and a miss, a dot ball. The batsmen manage to take singles on the fourth, fifth, and sixth balls, rotating the strike. The score moves to 162/3 after 32 overs
  
• Kuldeep Yadav maintains pressure with a series of dot balls in his over. The batsmen struggle to find gaps and score runs. Only a single comes from the over. The score remains at 157/3 after 31 overs
  
• Siraj comes back and provides a crucial breakthrough. The first ball of the over results in a beautiful four by Mohammad Rizwan. However, on the third ball, a fantastic delivery from Siraj shatters the stumps, sending Babar Azam back to the pavilion after a well-played 50 off 58 balls. Siraj celebrates aggressively, adding to the intensity in the stadium. Saud Shakeel is the new batsman. The over continues with a run-out chance, narrowly missed, and a dot ball. The score is 156/3 after 30 overs
  
• Kuldeep Yadav comes back for another over. The first four balls see the batsmen dealing in singles and dots, maintaining a cautious approach. However, on the fifth ball, Babar Azam strikes a boundary, bringing up his well-deserved half-century. Pakistan is gaining momentum as the score is 150/2 after 29 overs
  
• Mohammad Siraj returns to the attack. The first two balls yield singles as the batsmen rotate the strike. Babar unleashes a well-timed shot for a boundary on the third ball, followed by a couple of runs on the fourth ball. Pakistan seems to be looking for a gear shift in their innings. A single and a straight drive for four by Rizwan on the last ball result in a productive over, with 13 runs scored. The score moves to 144/2 after 28 overs
  
• Kuldeep Yadav bowls his fifth over. The batsmen play cautiously, focusing on rotating the strike with singles and facing dot balls. The bowler keeps it tight, not allowing any room for easy runs. The score remains 131/2 after 27 overs. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are indeed looking settled
  
• Ravindra Jadeja, in his seventh over, keeps it tight. The first ball yields a single, followed by a dot ball. Mohammad Rizwan gets a bit lucky as he hits the third ball in the air, but it drops safely in no man's land, resulting in a couple of runs. The over ends with two dot balls and a single. The score moves to 129/2 after 26 overs
  
• Kuldeep Yadav is back for another over. The first ball results in a single, followed by a dot ball. There's a strong LBW appeal on the third ball, and India takes a DRS. However, the replay shows that the decision stays with the umpire's call. The review is retained, and the batsman remains not out. The score is 125/2 after 25 overs
  
• Ravindra Jadeja persists with his bowling. The over sees consistent singles, keeping the scoreboard ticking for Pakistan. Jadeja bowls tightly, allowing only three runs in the over. The score is 123/2 after 24 overs. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam are building a steady partnership
  
• Kuldeep Yadav resumes his bowling. The first two balls are dots, building pressure. Mohammad Rizwan then executes a clever scoop on the fourth ball, sending it racing to the boundary. He follows it up with a single on the fifth ball. The sixth ball results in a dot. The score is 120/2 after 23 overs
  
• Jadeja comes back for another over. The first two balls are played cautiously with a dot and a single. Rizwan gets a bit lucky as he edges the fourth ball, which goes through the legs of KL Rahul and races away for a boundary. Rizwan then confidently strikes the fifth ball for another four. The score moves to 114/2 after 22 overs
  
• Kuldeep Yadav comes back into the attack. He bowls a tight over, allowing only two singles in the over. The batsmen struggle to find gaps, and Kuldeep maintains pressure with consistent bowling. The score moves to 105/2 after 21 overs
  
• Ravindra Jadeja continues his spell. The first ball results in a single, but the rest of the over is a series of dot balls, maintaining the pressure on the batsmen. Pakistan looks for opportunities to score, but the Indian bowlers are holding firm. The score remains at 103/2 after 20 overs
  
• Shardul Thakur returns for another over. The first two balls are dots, but Babar Azam executes a beautiful cover drive for a boundary on the third ball, bringing up Pakistan's 100 runs. The batsmen then take a single and face three dot balls to end the over. The score is 102/2 after 19 overs
  
• Ravindra Jadeja comes back for another over. He keeps the batsmen in check, allowing only two singles off the first four balls. However, Mohammad Rizwan finds the gap and hits a beautiful square drive for a boundary on the fifth ball. The over concludes with a dot. The score is 96/2 after 18 overs
  
• Shardul Thakur begins his spell, and Babar Azam makes a statement with a beautifully played on-the-rise straight drive for a boundary off the first ball. However, Thakur manages to restrict the batsmen for the rest of the over, conceding just a few singles. The score moves to 90/2 after 17 overs
  
• Ravindra Jadeja continues his spell, keeping it economical by conceding five singles in the over. The batsmen are focusing on rotating the strike, ensuring a steady flow of runs. Pakistan is aiming for a solid partnership to build their innings. The score is 84/2 after 16 overs
  
• Hardik Pandya bowls a tight over, putting pressure on the batsmen with five consecutive dot balls. However, Mohammad Rizwan manages to find the boundary on the last ball with a well-executed flick, providing some relief for Pakistan. The score moves to 79/2 after 15 overs
  
• Ravindra Jadeja is introduced into the attack. He immediately creates a chance with a strong LBW appeal, but DRS overturns the decision as the ball was projected to miss the leg stump. The over continues with a mix of dots and a single. The score remains 75/2 after 14 overs. And its time for the DRINKS BREAK!
  
• OUT! Hardik Pandya is back for his third over. Babar Azam starts with a single, and then Imam-ul-Haq plays a delightful shot for a boundary. However, tragedy strikes pakistan in the next ball as Imam-ul-Haq is caught behind for 36 runs in 38 balls. Mohammad Rizwan comes in at number four. The over ends with a couple of dots and a single. The score is 74/2 after 13 overs
  
• Kuldeep Yadav comes into the attack, replacing Mohammad Siraj. The batsmen manage to rotate the strike with singles and twos. Babar Azam capitalizes on a ball down the leg side, guiding it skillfully for a boundary. Pakistan's scoring continues as Imam and Babar take the responsibility to anchor the innings. The score is 68/1 after 12 overs
  
• Hardik Pandya returns for his second over. The batsmen, Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq, are dealing in singles initially. However, Babar Azam showcases his skill, guiding two balls down the leg side for consecutive boundaries. Pakistan is steadily building their innings. The score moves to 60/1 after 11 overs
  
• Mohammad Siraj continues to impress with his tight bowling. He concedes only a single in the over, with the batsmen finding it challenging to score. Consistent dot balls and disciplined bowling characterize this over. The score is 49/1 after 10 overs
  
• Hardik Pandya takes the ball for his first over, replacing Bumrah. The first three balls result in two singles. Pandya displays variation and a bouncer on the fifth ball, resulting in a dot. However, the last ball is struck for a boundary, adding valuable runs for Pakistan. The score moves to 48/1 after 9 overs
  
• Pakistan Captain babar Azam is on the crease at Number 3.
• OUT! Mohammad Siraj maintains a tight line. The first five balls yield just 3 runs, but on the final ball, he gets the crucial breakthrough. Abdullah Shafique is dismissed lbw after scoring 20 runs from 24 balls. A crucial wicket for India
  
• Jasprit Bumrah is back for the 7th over. Abdullah Shafique plays a beautiful shot, timing it perfectly for a boundary on the second ball. The batsmen exhibit good running, adding a cheeky single on the third ball. Bumrah tries a bouncer on the fifth ball, but Imam-ul-Haq manages to evade it. However, the sixth ball is guided for a four down the leg side. Pakistan is finding some momentum. The score moves to 37/0 after 7 overs
  
• Mohammad Siraj continues with his spell. The first ball fetches 2 runs for Pakistan. The following deliveries see the batsmen rotating the strike, taking singles. Siraj maintains good line and length, not giving much room to the batsmen. Pakistan is steadily accumulating runs. The score moves to 28/0 after 6 overs
  
• Jasprit Bumrah returns for the fifth over and delivers a maiden over, putting pressure on the Pakistani batsmen. They play cautiously, and there hasn't been much movement for the ball. The score remains at 23/0 after 5 overs
  
• In the fourth over, Mohammad Siraj is back. Abdullah Shafique hits a beautiful cover drive for four on the first ball. The following deliveries are well bowled, yielding just singles and dots. Pakistan continues to build their innings steadily. The score moves to 23/0 after 4 overs
  
• Jasprit Bumrah returns for the third over. He keeps it tight, allowing only a single run on the third ball. The rest of the balls are dots, putting pressure on the Pakistani batsmen. Pakistan reach 17/0 after 3 overs
  
• Mohammad Siraj takes the ball for the second over. Imam-ul-Haq shows aggression, hitting the first two balls for boundaries. The third ball is a dot, but Imam-ul-Haq follows it up with another four. A total of three boundaries in the over. Pakistan is off to a flying start
  
• Jasprit Bumrah kicks off the proceedings for India. Abdullah Shafiq and Imam ul Haq open the innings for Pakistan. In the first over, Pakistan scores 4 runs without losing a wicket
  
• Pakistan playing XI: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
  
• India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
  
• Both teams are out in the middle for the national anthems, and the atmosphere at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is electric. The crowd is massive, cheering passionately for their respective teams. The enthusiasm and energy in the stadium are palpable.
  
• Shubman Gill, who missed the first two encounters due to dengue, returns to the lineup for India, while Ishan Kishan sits out as confirmed by Rohit Sharma during the toss. An important change for Team India
  
• India win the toss and choose to bowl first. An interesting decision as India aim to put early pressure on the Pakistani batsmen The decision sets the tone for an exciting battle
  
• India's opener Shubman Gill is not spotted during the warm-ups as the team prepares for the crucial clash against Pakistan at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Stay tuned for more updates as the match progresses

In the cricketing world, few rivalries evoke as much anticipation and fervor as an India-Pakistan clash, and the stage is set for another electrifying encounter. Today, cricket enthusiasts from around the globe will be glued to their screens as India and Pakistan face off in the ICC Cricket World Cup at the illustrious Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India.

Pakistan, making their way to India for the first time since the 2016 Twenty20 World Cup, is on a mission to overturn a historical statistic that has eluded them in 50-over World Cup matches—victory against their arch-rivals, India. The 1992 World Cup champions have never been able to break this jinx, and their captain, Babar Azam, is leading with a forward-looking approach, disregarding the past and focusing on scripting a new chapter in cricket history.

Azam said, “I don’t think about the past, I’d rather focus on the future. All records are meant to be broken, and we’ll try to break this record tomorrow.” With both teams securing victories in their initial matches of this tournament, the stakes are higher than ever.

India, a two-time champion, enters the match with momentum, having clinched victories against Australia and Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan showcased their mettle by triumphing over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka in their opening fixtures.

One of the major talking points leading up to this clash has been spectator attendance. However, this won’t be an issue on Saturday, as the Narendra Modi Stadium is expected to be packed to its capacity, with over 100,000 cricket enthusiasts filling the stands, creating an electric atmosphere.

When it comes to head-to-head encounters, Pakistan has historically held the edge with 73 wins in One-Day Internationals against India's 56. However, in the context of Cricket World Cup history, India has maintained a dominant position, never tasting defeat in their seven meetings against Pakistan in this prestigious event.

In terms of form, both teams are in good stead, having won their opening matches. Pakistan survived a valiant effort by the Netherlands and pulled off a record chase against Sri Lanka. India, on the other hand, showcased resilience with a low-scoring victory against Australia and a commanding win against Afghanistan.

The squads are prepared for the battle. Shubman Gill, despite battling dengue fever, is back with the Indian team but is likely to miss the Pakistan game. Pakistan is yet to take a call on strategic batting changes, with Abdullah Shafique's exceptional performance against Sri Lanka cementing his position in the lineup.

In this anticipated clash, key players will face significant challenges. India's captain, Rohit Sharma, known for his ultra-aggressive style, has showcased a heightened attacking approach this year, especially in the initial overs of the game. Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi, though still swinging the ball effectively, is contending with a decrease in pace, a factor that may play a crucial role.

An area of concern for Pakistan is their spinners' performance in the tournament. With a higher bowling average compared to other teams, they need to up their game, particularly against a formidable opponent like India.

Babar Azam, the backbone of Pakistan's batting lineup, sees this match as an opportunity to rise above his historical struggles against India. As captain and top-ranked ODI batter, he aims to lead his team to victory and rewrite his personal records against their fierce rivals.

Mohammed Siraj, India's emerging bowler, faces the challenge of finding the right balance in his delivery length, especially against a potent Pakistan batting lineup.

The history of the World Cup records Sachin Tendulkar as India's highest run-getter against Pakistan, followed closely by Virat Kohli. Kohli, a modern-day cricket icon, holds the key for India and aims to further solidify his place in World Cup history.

Head-to-Head Record:

• In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Pakistan has 73 wins against India's 56.
• However, when it comes to Cricket World Cup history, India has the upper hand as Pakistan has never beaten India in the ICC ODI World Cup in their seven meetings.

Team News:

• India's opener Shubman Gill is expected to miss the Pakistan game due to dengue fever, and Ishan Kishan will likely continue to open the batting with Rohit Sharma.
• India may consider bringing back off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
• Pakistan made a successful batting change in their previous match against Sri Lanka, with Abdullah Shafique scoring a century on his World Cup debut. This may keep Fakhar Zaman on the bench for the time being.

Match Facts:

• The pitch in Ahmedabad for the opening game of the World Cup showed very little help for seamers in the first 10 overs. Swing is expected to be more of a threat than seam in this match.
• India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has been very aggressive this year, attacking a high percentage of deliveries, especially in the first 10 overs of the game.
• Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi has shown swing but a decrease in pace this year.
• Pakistan's spinners have struggled with their bowling averages, and they will need to perform better in this match.
• Babar Azam, Pakistan's captain and No.1 ranked ODI batter, has a poor record against India, particularly against their spinners.
• Mohammed Siraj, an emerging bowler for India, needs to maintain a consistent length to perform at his best