The stage was set for an exciting cricket match between India and Pakistan in the ODI World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. It wasn’t just the on-field action that made this clash special, but also a memorable off-field moment. During the toss, Ravi Shastri, a well-known cricket commentator, decided to add a unique twist. He introduced Rohit Sharma as if he was stepping into the “Blue corner” representing India, and Babar Azam as the representative of Pakistan in the “Green corner.” This playful reference to boxing left both captains amused and set the tone for the thrilling 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 expected dew factor and the fantastic atmosphere at the stadium. Rohit Sharma expressed the team’s commitment to giving their best in every game and highlighted the importance of maintaining a relaxed atmosphere within the squad during such a significant tournament.
Here are the playing XIs 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
The match not only showcased thrilling cricket but also unexpected reactions from the crowd. As Babar Azam began to speak after the toss, the fans in the stadium started jeering him, much to the surprise of many. This gesture received criticism on social media, with journalist Rajdeep Sardesai expressing disappointment in 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 packed stadium and expressed confidence in his team’s form and momentum in the tournament.
(Source link: [Click here](https://zeenews.india.com/cricket/rohit-sharma-and-babar-azam-cant-stop-laughing-after-ravi-shastri-introduces-both-captains-in-boxing-game-fashion-video-goes-viral-watch-2675315.html))