The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan in the ODI World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad delivered not only thrilling on-field action but also a memorable off-field moment. During the toss, Ravi Shastri, a renowned cricket commentator, added a unique twist by introducing the two captains, Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam, in boxing style. He referred to Rohit Sharma as representing India in the “Blue corner” and Babar Azam as representing Pakistan in the “Green corner.” This playful reference to boxing brought laughter from both captains and set the tone for the electrifying contest that was about to unfold.
After the light-hearted introduction, Rohit Sharma, leading the Indian side, won the toss and chose to field first. This decision was influenced by the anticipated dew factor and the fantastic atmosphere at the stadium. Rohit Sharma expressed the team’s commitment to giving their best in every game and emphasized the importance of maintaining a relaxed atmosphere within the squad during a tournament of this magnitude.
Here are the lineups for both teams:
India’s Playing XI:
– Rohit Sharma (c)
– Shubman Gill
– Virat Kohli
– Shreyas Iyer
– KL Rahul (w)
– Hardik Pandya
– Ravindra Jadeja
– Shardul Thakur
– Kuldeep Yadav
– Jasprit Bumrah
– Mohammed Siraj
Pakistan’s Playing XI:
– Abdullah Shafique
– Imam-ul-Haq
– Babar Azam (c)
– Mohammad Rizwan (w)
– Saud Shakeel
– Iftikhar Ahmed
– Shadab Khan
– Mohammad Nawaz
– Hasan Ali
– Shaheen Afridi
– Haris Rauf
During the match, there were unexpected reactions from the crowd. As Babar Azam began to speak after the toss, the fans in the stadium started jeering him, which surprised many. This gesture was widely criticized on social media, with journalist Rajdeep Sardesai expressing disappointment at the crowd’s behavior.
In response to the crowd’s unexpected reaction, Babar Azam maintained his composure and explained that Pakistan also wanted to bowl first. He emphasized the importance of enjoying the game in the midst of a jam-packed stadium and expressed confidence in his team’s form and momentum in the tournament.
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