IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023: Mohammed Shami not in playing XI, Shardul Thakur included to increase batting depth

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IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023: Mohammed Shami was left out of the India playing eleven of their first match of the Asia Cup 2023 against Pakistan on Saturday, September 2. Pace-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur was named in the squad ahead of the senior pacer.

There is uncertainty over the fitness of the 32-year-old pacer who last played for India in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia in June. The decision could also have been taken to increase the batting depth of the Indian team against a quality Pakistan bowling unit.

However, there were reports that Mohammed Shami was the best pacer during the six-day preparatory camp held in Alur ahead of the Asia Cup 2023. Sanjay Manjrekar disagreed with India's decision to drop Shami, saying that "bowling depth was as important as the batting depth".

Jasprit Bumrah, who last played an ODI match in July 2022, is making his return to the format post his long injury layoff due to lower back injury. Mohammed Siraj, the top-ranked Indian bowler in the ICC ODI rankings, has been included alongside two other pace options in Shardul and Hardik Pandya.

Axar Patel was also left out from the first ODI as India opted to go with left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja and chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav.

Further, Shreyas is also making his return to international cricket for the first time after March 2023. He is slated to bat at number five. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan found a place in the absence of KL Rahul and is likely to bat at number four after Virat Kohli at three. Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma will open.

India have won the toss and opted to bat first.

India Playing XI vs Pakistan: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan(w), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj