High-flying India will lock horns with defending champions England in their next match of the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in Lucknow on Sunday.
Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya will miss the match. Pandya has got a Grade 1 sprain which entails to slight stretching and some damage to fibers (fibrils) of the ligament.
In Pandya’s absence, Suryakumar Yadav and Mohammed Shami were included the playing XI against New Zealand.
After being rested on the bench for four games, Shami returned with a brilliant performance to take a five wicket haul and help India win the all-important match against the Kiwis. However, the Lucknow surface is expected to aid the slow bowlers. As per reports, there is a possibility of having veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI for the upcoming match.
If Ashwin is included, India’s lower order batting will also be bolstered with the right-handed batter coming at No.7 position.
Notably, by winning all of their five matches, the Men in Blue are currently occupying the top spot in the points table with 10 points in their kitty. At least 12 points will be good enough for a knockout berth and 14 points (seven wins) could well establish the hosts in the semifinals.