Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are up against each other for the second time in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. The Men in Blue have opened their Super Fours campaign with a high-voltage clash at the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday, September 10. There were earlier reports that rain would delay the start of the game, but the Colombo weather has been kind, allowing Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill to come out to bat after Pakistan, who won the toss, opted to field first.

While announcing the Playing XI, India captain Rohit Sharma revealed that KL Rahul will be replacing Shreyas Iyer. Rahul was ruled out of the first two matches as the wicket-keeper batter was not fully recovered from the injury. With Ishan Kishan’s brilliant performance against Pakistan in India’s tournament opener, it was sure to be a headache for the management to decide on the team once Rahul returned to the team. However, Rohit clarified during the toss that Iyer will miss the game due to a back spasm.

In their previous encounter, rain played spoilsport and hampered the much-awaited clash of the tournament. Today’s match is also likely to be interrupted by rain, but fans are hoping for a complete game given the sunshine in Colombo since morning.

What did the two captains say after the toss?

After winning the toss, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam aid: “We will bowl first. I think there is a bit of moisture, we need to use that. Always, India Pakistan is high intensity, but we will take it match to match. As a team, we are playing well, we are focused on this one. No changes.”

Meanwhile, India captain Rohit Sharma said he would have also opted to bat first had the toss been in their favour. “Looking to bat first. There will be a challenge upfront, but the way we guys batted last time around gives us confidence. Every game is important for us, but one thing at a time to focus on. (On rain delays) That’s the nature of the sport, it gave us good time to prepare and now we’ll look to play well. Two changes – Bumrah is back and one forced change, Shreyas Iyer just got a back spasm so KL Rahul comes in for him,” the 36-year-old said.

Playing XIs of India and Pakistan 

India: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf

Here’s how fans reacted to KL Rahul replacing Shreyas Iyer in India’s Playing XI against Pakistan: 

Iyer ek match bad injured ho gya to kya ganta world cup khelga

— Shankar Raika (@ShankarRaika51) September 10, 2023

Haha. Injury sidha dil me laga hoga Iyer ke. Abhi toh aaya tha aur drop kar diya.

— Banker Babu (@bankerbabu111) September 10, 2023

ye sahi h musical chair chl rha h kya bc
kabhi ye injured kabhi wo injured

— अल्हड़ बालक (@haryanvi_0) September 10, 2023

Kya shreyas ko pta hai ki wo injured h 🧐🧐

— MD Aadil (@MdAadil24805418) September 10, 2023

Strategy to keep kishan

— VK18 🐐 (@Pakratkohli) September 10, 2023

I in Iyer stands for INJURY.

— The Contest Guy (@BoliMocr) September 10, 2023

iyers injury is Just an excuse to bench him

— Doctor Adani™ (@AdaniHu) September 10, 2023

KL Rahul is biggest scam in Cricket 🏏
give chance to Iyer
He will perform better

— Bilal Nasir Khan (@BilalNasirKhanI) September 10, 2023

Iyer ke back spasm ka reason kya hai we all know 😭😭😭

— Pratik (@fake_engineer7) September 10, 2023