Following the 66-run win against Afghanistan, a slim hope of a semi-final berth is still alive for India. In order to strengthen that claim, they are taking on Scotland in a Group 2 game at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday night.
Dubai has been a toss-dependent venue, as the chasing teams here often get better batting conditions because of the dew. However, against a less experienced side like Scotland, India should not mind batting first, given how badly they need that net run rate boost.
With pacers struggling to extract any lateral movement in the air and off the surface, spinners have called the shots in both the Powerplay and the middle overs. On Thursday, Adam Zampa took 5-19 against Bangladesh, and India's game is likely to be played on the same surface.
Hence, the think-tank may opt for a a three-spinner strategy.
This was evident when Varun Chakravarthy was the only Indian to attend the optional training session on the eve of the game. He missed the last match against Afghanistan due to a left calf strain, providing R. Ashwin the opportunity to make a comeback in white-ball cricket after four and half years.
Chakravarthy looked alright while during his fitness drills under the watchful eyes of physio Nitin Patel, assistant trainer Soham Desai and bowling coach Bharat Arun.
If India opt for a third frontline spinner in the XI, Shardul Thakur is likely to be dropped following his below-par efforts in the previous two matches.
Scotland, on the other hand, are aware of the challenge ahead of their most-awaited game in the competition. In the previous game against New Zealand they showed what they are capable of.
Their attack banks on their pacers in the Powerplay and Mark Watt's left-arm spin later in the innings. However, considering what India did to the Afghan attack in the previous game, it is going to be stiff ask for the Scottish bowlers to contain this Indian batting.
Likely XIs
India: Rohit Sharma, K.L. Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy
Scotland: George Munsey, Kyle Coetzer (c), Matthew Cross (wk), Richie Berrington, Calum MacLeod, Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Safyaan Sharif, Alasdair Evans, Bradley Wheal
Fantasy tips
- Pick the top three Indian batters to maximise your batting points.
- Scotland pacer Josh Davey's availability is still not confirmed. You can pick someone like Watt ahead of him.
- You should not pick more than three Indian batters. The others may not get enough time in the middle. Instead, go for more Indian bowlers.
Fantasy XI
Matthew Cross, Rohit Sharma, K.L. Rahul, Virat Kohli, George Munsey, Ravindra Jadeja, Michael Leask, R. Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Mark Watt