Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has voiced his desire for an India vs Pakistan face-off in the semi-final of the World Cup 2023, expressing the sentiment that nothing could be more thrilling.

“Without a doubt, I’m rooting for an India vs Pakistan clash in the semi-final. I’m envisioning it to unfold, let’s wait and see. An India vs Pakistan showdown in Kolkata would indeed be an exhilarating competition,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

Rohit Sharma’s India has already secured a spot in the semi-final by winning all seven matches in the group stage. However, for the dream clash to materialize, India would need to lose against South Africa and drop to the second position in the league table. Meanwhile, Pakistan, currently engaged in a do-or-die match against New Zealand, must win their remaining games with a substantial margin to secure the third spot in the league table.

Reflecting on the tournament dynamics, Karthik acknowledged that the India vs Pakistan clash at Eden Gardens would be a spectacle worth anticipating. Despite India’s dominant performance, South Africa closely follows with six victories out of seven matches. In contrast, Pakistan has faced challenges in their campaign, losing four consecutive matches after an initial two wins, putting their semi-final position in jeopardy.

As the World Cup 2023 unfolds, the cricketing world awaits the unfolding of these critical matches that will determine the semi-final matchups, with Dinesh Karthik’s wish for an India vs Pakistan showdown adding an extra layer of excitement to the anticipation.

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In a candid post-match statement following the intense India vs Pakistan 2023 World Cup clash, former Indian pacer S Sreesanth issued a strong warning to the Pakistan team.

Sreesanth expressed bewilderment at reports suggesting that the Pakistan Cricket Board had raised concerns about the crowd’s hostility during the match held in Ahmedabad. Dismissing the complaints, the 2011 World Cup winner argued that it was natural for the home crowd to fervently support the Indian team. He stated that had Pakistan performed better on the field, they would have received praise instead.

Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda, Sreesanth highlighted the importance of being prepared for both praise and criticism as a professional cricket team.

“If you perform well, the crowd cheers; perform poorly, and criticism follows. As a team, brace yourself for both. Mahi bhai used to advise us to focus on the process, acknowledging that pressure is inevitable. If you can’t handle the pressure, don’t come to India. It’s as simple as that. Don’t come. Go back, you are struggling. You’re playing like that too, ” he said.

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Indian skipper Rohit Sharma was the star with the bat against Pakistan as the hitman scored 86 (63), which featured six fours and six sixes.

After the game, several renowned figures from cricket praised Rohit, but the most special praise came from his friend and teammate Dinesh Karthik.

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Karthik, who is a panellist for Sky Cricket commentary list, applauded Rohit and remarked that if the bowlers bowl short of length to him, then they should forget it and go and pick the ball from the stands.

Karthik laid down Rohit’s strength and defence, where he stated that Sharma cannot hit drives like other players because his strength is backfoot.

“He has a lazy elegance to his batting. The fact that he does not move his feet much and go forward, gives him a second or two extra than other batters to score runs. He does not play forward drives like other players, as it is not his strength, but if you bowl anything slightly short, forget it, go and pick it up from the stands.”

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India registered a historic win over Pakistan to extend their World Cup winning streak to 8-0 against the Men in Green.

Pakistan, batting first, collapsed for 191 runs despite being 155/2 at one point. In reply, Indian openers went all guns blazing, and despite losing Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli early, Rohit Sharma scored 86 (63), which helped India seal the win comfortably.

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Several cricketers and fans took to social media platforms to hail India’s win. Here are some of the reactions.

India will now face Bangladesh on October 19.

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India etched their names into history books as they extended their winning run against Pakistan 8-0 in the ICC World Cup.

In today’s game, it was a one-sided affair as the Men in Blue restricted to 191 runs. All the bowlers except Shardul Thakur took two wickets each.

In reply, Rohit Sharma started strongly and scored 86 (63). Shreyas Iyer was the second top-scorer with 53 (62). With the win, India went onto top of the table. The fans took to social media platforms to troll Pakistan. Here are the top memes from the India-Pakistan match.

India will next face Bangladesh on October 19.

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In their second match of the ODI World Cup 2023, Pakistan chased down a record target of 345 runs against Sri Lanka. However, as they celebrated their second consecutive win, concerns emerged regarding the performance of the star pacer, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Former Pakistan pacer, Waqar Younis expressed worry about Shaheen Afridi’s recent struggles. Despite the team’s success, Younis highlighted the need for Pakistan to address the issues affecting Afridi’s performance.

“Pakistan’s success has come when Shaheen takes early wickets, and he’s done it many times over the years, and he’s had the potential, capability, but he’s trying too hard right now. He’s just tumbling all over the place. Bowling on the pads, outside the off stump, around the wicket, over the wicket, nothing really worked for him, and I’m sure he’ll sit back with Morne Morkel,” Younis said in a post-match analysis on Star Sports.

Shaheen Afridi, known for his impactful early wickets, faced a challenging day against Sri Lanka. He conceded 66 runs in 9 overs and managed to take only one wicket. This marked his second below-par performance in the ongoing ODI World Cup.

“There might be an issue with his action. What if he has a niggle or something?” Younis questioned during the broadcast.

The former pacer emphasized Afridi’s significance to the team, especially against arch-rivals India. He urged Afridi to address the issues and regain his form, considering the crucial role he plays in providing early breakthroughs.

“If he manages to address this concern and utilizes his left-arm deliveries effectively, especially in the early stages of the game, particularly against India, his contributions will be crucial. He has demonstrated his capabilities against India in previous matches, making him a vital asset to the team,” Younis concluded.

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Star Indian opener Shubman Gill‘s full recovery from dengue before the 2023 World Cup remains uncertain. It has now prompted discussions about possible replacements. Gill, who is yet to fully recuperate, may miss the upcoming clash against Pakistan in Ahmedabad on Saturday, October 14.

The BCCI had previously confirmed that Gill would not be accompanying the squad to Delhi due to lingering fever. Following complaints of fatigue, he was hospitalized in Chennai and has been advised 48 hours of rest. There would be a reassessment scheduled for Thursday.

If the team management deems it necessary to secure a cover for Shubman Gill, the selection committee is poised to provide replacement options in the form of Yashasvi Jaiswal or Ruturaj Gaikwad. The Indian Express reported that Gill’s recovery may extend beyond a week.

It further suggested that should Gill’s recovery fall short, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal emerge as leading contenders to fill his spot in the World Cup squad. Both cricketers have returned from a successful Asian Games. The selection committee is actively considering these alternatives as they prepare for potential contingencies in the tournament.

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Indian opener Shubman Gill was discharged from the hospital after spending a night there. He is likely to miss the India vs Pakistan 2023 World Cup match due to a drop in his platelet count below 1,00,000 per microliter. Gill was hospitalized on October 8 for observation but has returned to the hotel for rest and recovery.

“On October 8, Gill’s platelet count dropped below 100,000, leading to his hospitalization for observation. Nothing to worry about, as he was already back at the hotel on October 9 and is still receiving treatment there. Since he arrived in Chennai, everything of his treatment, from a regular injection of glucose to additional operations, has taken place in the hotel,” a source revealed.

Due to his health condition, Gill did not travel to Delhi for the upcoming match against Afghanistan. The team decided to keep Shubman Gill in Chennai for extended treatment, given that India’s clash with Afghanistan is only two days away and the high-profile fixture against Pakistan in Ahmedabad is a priority.

“Travelling to Delhi would have necessitated consultation with a new facility and doctor in Delhi.” The administration didn’t want it to happen, so they kept him in Chennai to avoid any unnecessary travel. The doctor must approve him before he can join the team. Right now, he is under the continual supervision of the BCCI medical staff and the doctors in Chennai. They have been treating him since he arrived,” he added.

Although it is highly unlikely that Gill will play in the game against Pakistan, he is responding well to treatment. His vital are signs improving and the recovery rate has been 70-80%. However, there has been no official statement from either the Indian team management or the BCCI regarding Gill’s illness.

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Salman Butt recently shared insights into his camaraderie with former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir. The former Pakistan captain revealed that he and Gambhir have enjoyed meals together in Karachi. According to Butt, their friendship extends beyond social outings to meaningful cricket discussions.

In a recent YouTube video, Butt praised Gambhir’s cricket acumen, describing him as knowledgeable and on point with his analyses.

“Yes, I am close friends with Gautam Gambhir. In Karachi, we ate out and had some excellent conversations. When he discusses cricket, he makes a lot of sense. He is one of those players that is really focused on the field. That’s okay because each player has a unique temperament,” Butt said.

It’s worth noting that Gautam Gambhir, despite historical tensions between India and Pakistan, has found a friend in Salman Butt. While Gambhir was known for his on-field intensity and occasional spats with Pakistani players like Kamran Akmal and Shahid Afridi, his off-field friendship with Salman Butt showcases a different aspect of cricket camaraderie that transcends rivalries.

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In preparation for the World Cup, the BCCI is actively addressing the visa concerns of Pakistani journalists, according to ICC. The ICC acknowledged the BCCI’s committed efforts to facilitate the visa process, responding to the disappointment expressed by the PCB regarding delays in visa clearances for fans and media.

The PCB has emphasized the urgency of the matter as about 60 Pakistani journalists anticipate traveling to India for the World Cup. Despite robust local support for Pakistan in their World Cup opener against the Netherlands, no members of the Pakistani media contingent or fans were present. Karachi-born Mohammad Bashir, a US citizen, stood out as the lone fan in the stands.

An ICC spokesperson assured that visa procurement is the responsibility of the host, stating, “Our host, the BCCI, is required to provide this (the visa), and they are working diligently on it with our full cooperation. We are currently working to find a solution to this.”

Anticipating a substantial inflow of fans crossing the border, the PCB aims to secure visas before the crucial game between India and Pakistan in Ahmedabad on October 14.

Expressing dissatisfaction, a PCB spokesperson said, “For the last three years, we have reminded the ICC of their duties and members’ agreement on the issuance of visas for spectators and media. We have also continued to voice our concerns to all the appropriate authorities.”

The PCB acknowledges the vital role played by journalists and passionate fans in elevating the spirit and atmosphere of sports events.

“Their presence not only makes the stadium more lively, but it also helps to increase the game’s popularity and global coverage. They should arrive shortly, we hope,” the spokesperson concluded.

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