KOLKATA: An India-Pakistan fixture over the years have mostly been labelled as one team's bowling up against another's batting. However, with a good blend of both promises to provide some interesting duels on Saturday. We pick out a few individual battles that promise to form the bigger picture.
Virat Kohli v Mohammad Amir
Shoaib Akhtar termed it the modern-day "Sachin-Shoaib" rivalry. Definitely so. Virat Kohli has been near unstoppable in T20s in 2016 with a superlative 375 runs in nine innings. He was the only batsman who stood as solid as a rock during that emphatic spell of fast bowling from Amir in the Asia Cup game. The left-armer's return has given Pakistan the X-factor they needed, while Kohli's hand in India's top-order surge has been highlighted in the results. Amir running up to Kohli will definitely be one of the best mini battles to watch out for in Kolkata.
Mohammad Irfan v Shikhar Dhawan
The India opener got some-much needed runs during the Australia tour and couple of half-centuries against Sri Lanka and another one against Bangladesh in the final of the Asia Cup, proving he is in a better space. But against a bowler like Irfan, who troubles the batsmen with his pace and bounce, Dhawan may endure a tough outing. Irfan can skid the ball through, his height coming in handy for the awkward bounce. It'll be interesting to see what ploy the Indian opener comes up with against the seven-foot left-armer.
R Ashwin v Ahmed Shehzad
With his inclusion in the World T20 squad, Ahmed Shehzad has been given a lifeline by the PCB. But opening the innings means he may be up against a tidy R Ashwin, who has been extremely effective in the Powerplay with the new ball. Dhoni's go-to man will make life difficult for the Pakistan openers on a slow and turning Eden Gardens surface. The half-century against Bangladesh would have helped Shehzad's confidence, but facing Ashwin will be a totally contrasting challenge for the opener.
Yuvraj Singh v Wahab Riaz
The sight of Yuvraj Singh being cleaned up first ball by a Wahab Riaz delivery during the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup is something that people are still remember. Four years later, Riaz has become a totally different bowler ever since 'that' spell (2015 World Cup) to Shane Watson last year. Riaz will get the ball to bounce and move, which will test Yuvraj. Let's face it, barring one innings against Sri Lanka, Yuvraj has looked far from convincing and against a far-better bowling unit of Pakistan, Yuvraj's struggle in inevitable unless he comes up with something special. Riaz has slightly fallen off following a successful PSL, where he scalped 15 wickets from nine games, but Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has backed him to deliver in a big match such as this.
Jasprit Bumrah v Shahid Afridi
Bumrah, India's newest bowling sensation is fast becoming India's solution in the death overs. And if it gets down to Afridi facing the music first up or lower down the innings, his contest against Bumrah will be quite a duel. An underperforming Afridi scored a quick-fire 49 against Bangladesh, but their bowling was all over the place. India, since Bumrah's emergence and Ashish Nehra's comeback have looked a completely different bowling unit. There is no shortage of excitement with Afridi around, and Bumrah will be the man looking to ensure that there's less of it.
Ashish Nehra v Mohammad Hafeez
Since Nehra's return to the Indian side, their bowling unit has worn a completely different look. He has got the ball the move and has mostly given India that crucial breakthrough up front. Him bowling to Mohammad Hafeez, who endured a sub-par PSL by his standards, will make for one of the more important stages of the match. Hafeez's duty will be to provide Pakistan a start, while Nehra's will be to remove him quickly.
Virat Kohli v Mohammad Amir
Shoaib Akhtar termed it the modern-day "Sachin-Shoaib" rivalry. Definitely so. Virat Kohli has been near unstoppable in T20s in 2016 with a superlative 375 runs in nine innings. He was the only batsman who stood as solid as a rock during that emphatic spell of fast bowling from Amir in the Asia Cup game. The left-armer's return has given Pakistan the X-factor they needed, while Kohli's hand in India's top-order surge has been highlighted in the results. Amir running up to Kohli will definitely be one of the best mini battles to watch out for in Kolkata.
Mohammad Irfan v Shikhar Dhawan
The India opener got some-much needed runs during the Australia tour and couple of half-centuries against Sri Lanka and another one against Bangladesh in the final of the Asia Cup, proving he is in a better space. But against a bowler like Irfan, who troubles the batsmen with his pace and bounce, Dhawan may endure a tough outing. Irfan can skid the ball through, his height coming in handy for the awkward bounce. It'll be interesting to see what ploy the Indian opener comes up with against the seven-foot left-armer.
R Ashwin v Ahmed Shehzad
With his inclusion in the World T20 squad, Ahmed Shehzad has been given a lifeline by the PCB. But opening the innings means he may be up against a tidy R Ashwin, who has been extremely effective in the Powerplay with the new ball. Dhoni's go-to man will make life difficult for the Pakistan openers on a slow and turning Eden Gardens surface. The half-century against Bangladesh would have helped Shehzad's confidence, but facing Ashwin will be a totally contrasting challenge for the opener.
Yuvraj Singh v Wahab Riaz
The sight of Yuvraj Singh being cleaned up first ball by a Wahab Riaz delivery during the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup is something that people are still remember. Four years later, Riaz has become a totally different bowler ever since 'that' spell (2015 World Cup) to Shane Watson last year. Riaz will get the ball to bounce and move, which will test Yuvraj. Let's face it, barring one innings against Sri Lanka, Yuvraj has looked far from convincing and against a far-better bowling unit of Pakistan, Yuvraj's struggle in inevitable unless he comes up with something special. Riaz has slightly fallen off following a successful PSL, where he scalped 15 wickets from nine games, but Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has backed him to deliver in a big match such as this.
Jasprit Bumrah v Shahid Afridi
Bumrah, India's newest bowling sensation is fast becoming India's solution in the death overs. And if it gets down to Afridi facing the music first up or lower down the innings, his contest against Bumrah will be quite a duel. An underperforming Afridi scored a quick-fire 49 against Bangladesh, but their bowling was all over the place. India, since Bumrah's emergence and Ashish Nehra's comeback have looked a completely different bowling unit. There is no shortage of excitement with Afridi around, and Bumrah will be the man looking to ensure that there's less of it.
Ashish Nehra v Mohammad Hafeez
Since Nehra's return to the Indian side, their bowling unit has worn a completely different look. He has got the ball the move and has mostly given India that crucial breakthrough up front. Him bowling to Mohammad Hafeez, who endured a sub-par PSL by his standards, will make for one of the more important stages of the match. Hafeez's duty will be to provide Pakistan a start, while Nehra's will be to remove him quickly.
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