Kolkata: India place themselves in must win situation as they take on arch rivals Pakistan in a Super 10 Group 2 clash of World T20 at Eden Gardens. Jolted by the shock loss to New Zealand in the opening game, India will be fighting a survival battle quite early in the tournament when they take on their neighbours in what is being seen as the marquee clash of the ICC World Twenty20 here tomorrow.The hosts, who started as firm favorites suffered a shock defeat at the hands of New Zealand in Nagpur.
India is most likely to go in with the same team that played against the Kiwis. Although a change in the batting order cannot be ruled out as Yuvraj Singh might make way for Rahane. Harbhajan, who have a decent record at the venue may influence the team management to include him. But the chances are very bleak for the off spinner.
India had a rigorous training session in the afternoon at the Eden Gardens. Indian captain was seen having an extended batting session at the nets against the spin trio of Ashwin, Jadeja and Raina.
Pakistan, on the other hand is likely to go in with the same team that comprehensively beat Bangladesh in the opening encounter. Shahid Afridi and his men defeated Bangladesh by 55 runs at the same venue.
Pakistan will rely on their pace trio of Muhammad Amir , Wahab Riyaz and Md. Irfan. Left arm spinner Imad Wasim will be supported by the experienced Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik.
Pakistan would look to break the jinx of never beating India in an ICC event and they would be buoyed by the comprehensive win over Bangladesh in the tournament-opener.
While India will look to set the record straight at Eden Gardens against Pakistan as they are yet to win an one day international against them.
Given the record, India do have the edge on paper and the team’s under-fire batsmen will look to redeem themselves after their capitulation against the Kiwis while chasing a modest 127 on a notorious Jamtha turner.
The match was originally scheduled to be held in Dharamsala but was shifted here after the Himachal Pradesh government expressed inability to provide security to the Pakistan team owing to protests by ex-servicemen and their families.
Next was the delay in Pakistan’s arrival due to security concerns but the side eventually relented after repeated assurances from the BCCI.
The political undercurrents aside, the game assumes immense significance for Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men after the opening loss.