T20 World Cup 2021 – Match No.15 – Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh – Dream11 Prediction – Match Conditions – Playing XI Probables – Fantasy Suggestions – Dream11 Team
The match that’s been hyped for the last six months is finally here. The arch-rivals India and Pakistan will contest once again in the tournament opener for both sides. India’s growth in the last few years has been phenomenal in all three formats. On the other hand, Pakistan always is an unpredictable team that can come out strong in big games. This is an important game for both sides as starting with a win against an equal counterpart will strengthen their semifinals opportunities.
In head to head, India has a clear dominance over Pakistan in the tournament. They have a 5-0 lead against Pakistan.
Match Conditions
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Date and time: October 24, 2021 | 7.30 PM IST
Weather: It will be a hot day with no rain expected.
What can you expect?
What happened in Dubai yesterday was devastating for the West Indies fans as well as the T20 fans. I wrote it would be a high-scoring game yesterday. But there is nothing to blame on the pitch. It was all due to the shoddy execution of plans and the bad shots from the Caribbean batters.
Today’s game will show some light on what the Dubai pitch is capable of. With impact batters and bowlers on both sides, one can expect a tight game that could stretch till the very last over. India is a clear favorite with the kind of players they have in the side, but with the involvement of Pakistan in the equation, the victory is always going to be a cat on the wall.
Playing XI Probables
India
Virat Kohli confirmed that Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul will open, and the captain himself will bat at his usual No.3 position. Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant at No.4 and 5 mean there will be no place for the in-form Ishan Kishan in the side. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja at 6 and 7 is also a certainty.
With the ball, we have Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami as pace spearheads, with Ravi Ashwin as Jadeja’s spin pairing. It will be interesting to see who Shardul Thakur will replace if the team management wants to go with him.
Team: Rohit, Rahul, Virat (c), Suryakumar, Pant (wk), Hardik, Jadeja, Bhuvi, Ashwin, Shami, Bumrah
Pakistan
Pakistan have already announced their 12-member squad for the clash: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Hasan Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Asif Ali might sit out.
Team: Babar (c), Rizwan (wk), Fakhar, Hafeez, Shoaib, Imad, Shadab, Hasan, Haider, Haris, Shaheen
Fantasy Suggestions
Indian players are just out from their IPL bubble, and they are already accustomed to UAE conditions. Therefore, players in top form during the IPL must be the first target for your fantasy team.
UAE pitches, lately, are meant to be a chasing ground. Teams chasing won both the games in the first two games of this tournament.
Pick players based on the opponent. Pakistan is likely to start their bowling with Imad and Shaheen. On that note, Rohit might face a threat with Shaheen’s left-arm pace. Go with KL for your captaincy if you want an Indian batter as a captain. Read our ten mantras to pick the best fantasy team.
Dream11 Team
Wicket keepers: Rishabh Pant is in sublime touch. Obvious pick. I wanted to go with Rizwan too but decided to have Shoaib Malik in the team as he is always a strong contestant in matches against India. You can pick Rizwan if Pakistan bats first.
Batters: I am going with the other openers and Shoaib Malik.
All-rounders: Imad Wasim in powerplay overs will always be a threat for the opponents and suitable for your fantasy side.
Bowlers: Picking three pacers and a spinner, who I believe are the candidates for picking more wickets.
Captaincy pick: KL Rahul is in the form of his life, and It is not fair to think beyond him. You might see him walk out early; that’s possible. But still, with this form, if he gets a good start, he will go BIG. There are varying options for the vice-captain slot, but Babar Azam is top-notch in the recent games, and I go with him.
