India v Pakistan World Cup Tips: Fears for Pakistan on flat pitch

• India hot favourites

• Kohli to the fore

• India routinely hammer bowlers

India v Pakistan
Saturday 14 October, 09:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports

India v Pakistan World Cup team news

India are likely to be without Shubman Gill. The opener has been hospitalised and although he has now rejoined the squad, there is no need to rush him back. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul have all shown fine form.

With the ball, India will again choose between Shadrul Thakur and Ravi Ashwin depending on what they think the pitch will take - seam or wing.

Possible XI: Rohit, Ishan, Kohli, Shreyas, Rahul, Hardik, jadeja, Thakur, Kuldeep, Bumrah, Siraj

Unlike India, Pakistan await a big performance from their stellar performer. Babar Azam has disappointed so far. Fortunately others have stepped up.

Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan have been in great touch. The latter two both hit tons as they chased a World Cup record against Sri Lanka.

Possible XI: Shafique, Imam, Babar, Rizwan, Shakeel, Iftikhar, Nawaz, Shadab, Hasan, Afridi, Rauf

India v Pakistan World Cup pitch report

Ahmedabad looked pretty flat when New Zealand chased 282 with nine wickets to spare against England. That's consistent with IPL form. India's dominance over Pakistan is highlighted by four scores of 300 or more in the last five head-to-heads.

The odd one out was in Colombo in bowler-friendly conditions which are highly unlikely to be replicated. India for 315 or more could be available at around 1.855/6.

India v Pakistan World Cup match odds

Pakistan have never beaten India in a 50-over World Cup. And one fears that another shellacking in line with the 2019 edition - and the hammering in Colombo in the Asia Cup in September - awaits with life likely to be uncomfortable at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

As one would expect, India are short at no better than 1.4840/85. That could look poor value if Pakistan bat first on a flat one. If so they could well trade close to even money. Their work in the field has been dull so far, though.

Sportsbook's 11/112.00 that India win by eight wickets or 71-70 runs may be popular. Really, Pakistan need help from underfoot or up above to reduce the gulf.

India v Pakistan World Cup player bets

Kohli has been boosted by Sportsbook for top India bat to [3/1]. Babar likewise. We'd need another point on Kohli for win-rate value over two years. Pakistan's star man still has a win rate at 30% so there's a 5% edge.

KL Rahul is the only wrong price on how often a batter wins at 7/18.00. He has a 20% hit rate.

We note the relationship between runs on a road and a man of the match award. Rohit and Kohli are 9/110.00 and 7/18.00 respectively. Rohit, who blitzed Pakistan in 2019, and Kohli, who did so in Colombo last month, are 4/15.00 and 5/16.00 respectively for top match bat.