Rishabh Pant. (Source – Twitter/X)

India and Pakistan will battle it out for the eighth time in T20 World Cups when they meet in a highly charged encounter on Sunday. Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam will be wary of the kind of conditions that are prevalent at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York

Notably, Team India began their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with a win over Ireland in perhaps one of the most challenging conditions. Rohit Sharma scored a brilliant fifty before he was struck on the arm and had to retire hurt himself. The biggest plus for India will be the bowling form of Jasprit Bumrah as well as the support he got from Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj. 

Babar Azam’s team were given a rude jolt when they were beaten by USA in their opening encounter. Pakistan will be wary that they need to better their bowling and even some aspects of their batting. Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam himself will be the key with the bat and also with the ball.

Here are the top 3 player battles for India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 clash: 

3. Rishabh Pant versus Haris Rauf

Rishabh Pant. (Source – Twitter/X)

The prolific wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant made a glorious return to Team India in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. His breezy knock against Ireland was enough to guide the Men In Blue home with seven overs to spare. Ever since his return to cricket Pant has been scoring runs on a consistent basis. His ability to hit the ball to various parts of the ground will worry Babar Azam. 

The task of keeping Rishabh Pant quiet will be entrusted on the shoulders of Haris Rauf. The right-arm pacer has the extra pace which can trouble Pant and over the years the Indian star has been prone to having a few issues against bowlers who can bowl quick.

2. Jasprit Bumrah vs Babar Azam 

Babar Azam. (Photo Source: ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Rohit Sharma will yet again look to Jasprit Bumrah to deliver the goods with the ball. the 30-year-old bowled his heart out in the game against Ireland and put the batters under pressure with his swing and pace.

Check Here: T20 World Cup 2024 Most Wickets 

Babar Azam’s wicket will be the key for India to break the morale of the Pakistani team. If the Pakistan skipper gets going, one can expect a long day in the field for the Indians on the field. The 29-year-old was the leading scorer for Pakistan in the game against USA with 44 runs and he will be looked at to steer the ship with the bat for his side.

1. Rohit Sharma vs Shaheen Afridi 

Rohit Sharma. (Source – Getty Images)

Team India’s skipper Rohit Sharma might have begun the tournament well with a half-century. But the 37-year-old knows that larger challenges lay ahead if he has to realize his dream of helping India win the T20 World Cup.

Also Check: T20 World Cup 2024 Most Runs 

Pakistani camp knows that the Indian skipper has been a tad vulnerable against the left-arm seam bowlers. Shaheen Afridi has already dismissed Rohit Sharma on a few occasions most notably during the T20 World Cup match in 2021. If the young pacer can repeat the feat Pakistan will fancy their chances of winning the game.