Mohammad Hasnain to KL Rahul, Touch fuller and on off, KL Rahul lofts it but doesn't get the power right. It goes over extra cover. The fielder from inside the ring chases it. They collect two.
Mohammad Hasnain to Rohit Sharma, Hasnain is really steaming in now and bowls this one around 148 clicks! Good length again, Rohit Sharma eases it to mid on for one.
Mohammad Hasnain to Rohit Sharma, FOUR! Rohit Sharma has made up his mind here. This is on a length and on off, Rohit Sharma knocks it over mid off for a boundary.
Mohammad Hasnain to Rohit Sharma, Slightly shorter, at 146 clicks and with some extra bounce as well, Rohit Sharma looks to play at it but misses. Close!
Mohammad Hasnain to bowl from the opposite end.
Mohammad Hasnain to KL Rahul, Length ball down the middle, KL Rahul covers his line and guides it to third man. They cross.
Naseem Shah to Rohit Sharma, SIX! KABOOM! Rohit Sharma gets the first maximum of the match in the very first over. This one lands on a length and on middle, Rohit Sharma heaves it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. Good start for India.
Naseem Shah to Rohit Sharma, Good length and outside off, Rohit Sharma eases it to mid off. Dot.
Naseem Shah to Rohit Sharma, FOUR! Up and over. Slightly shorter again, Rohit Sharma dances down the track and lofts it over extra covers for a one bounce boundary! Rohit is off the mark in style.
Naseem Shah to Rohit Sharma, Slightly shorter this time and just outside off, Rohit Sharma makes a tight leave.
Naseem Shah to KL Rahul, On a length again, outside off, KL Rahul guides it past backward point and gets off that mark. Single is taken and India are underway!
Naseem Shah to KL Rahul, Naseem Shah starts right on the money! It is a length ball outside off, KL Rahul defends it to point. A dot to start with.
We are done with the pre-game formalities and it is now time to play! The umpires are out in the middle as the Pakistani players can be seen in a huddle. The Indian opening pair of KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma too make their way out to the middle. Naseem Shah has been handed the new ball and is ready to speed in. Two slips in place as well. Let's play...
We are minutes away from the start of play but as is the norm in these multi-nation tournaments, the two sets of players will first lineup for their respective national anthems. It will be Pakistan's national anthem first followed by the national anthem of India.
Hardik Pandya is down for a quick chat. He says that he needed a break and had a good rest in the last match. Further says that he has got a good training session for this big game and he feels refreshed. Adds that he loves the crowd around but his wife and his family are not around. Finishes by saying that he is the kind of person that sits in the room and tastes different food items but now he is more focused on the game and needs to be calm and win the game.
(AFP Photo)
PITCH REPORT - Sanjay Manjrekar is pitchside. He says that there is an even covering of grass on this one. Wasim Akram joins him and says that it is totally different from Sharjah, it is slightly drier but there will be good carry and the team winning the toss should look to bowl first. Also goes on to add that there hasn't been any dew so it won't matter that much.
The Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma says that they would have bowled first as well. Further says that they need to play well and assess a good score. Adds that they have to be good from the start and not worry about external pressure. Says that injury is something that they cannot control and Ravindra Jadeja has been ruled out. Finishes by saying that Hardik Pandya comes back to the team and Deepak Hooda and Ravi Bishnoi will start as well.