NEW DELHI: The highly anticipated showdown between India and Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2023 is facing a formidable adversary: the weather in Kandy. According to Weather.com, thunderstorms are in the forecast, carrying a 90% probability of rain on September 2.
Google Weather aligns with this prediction, anticipating a thundershower with a 90% chance of precipitation and humidity levels around 84% in Kandy. As for the temperature, it's projected to hover around 28 degrees celsius.
In preparation for the impending clash, the Indian men's cricket team touched down at the Colombo airport earlier in the day. Notably, seasoned batter Virat Kohli and versatile all-rounder Hardik Pandya were spotted engrossed in conversation.
While Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammad Shami and India head coach Rahul Dravid were seen chatting and sharing laughs while sitting in the bus.
However, Team India will be missing the services of star batter KL Rahul in their campaign opener against Pakistan. While Rahul is on the path to recovery from his injury, a recent minor setback led him to seek care under the supervision of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) until September 4 as confirmed by Dravid during a press conference on Tuesday.
"He (KL Rahul) had a good week with us, he is progressing really well on the route that we want to take, but he will be unavailable for the first part of the Kandy leg of the trip. The NCA will be looking after him while we are travelling. We will reassess him on the fourth (September 4) and we will take it from there. The signs are good and he is progressing really well," Dravid said.
1/10:Asia Cup 2023: All you need to know
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2/10:Asia Cup
<p>Six nations will compete for cricket's Asia Cup from Wednesday, co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. </p>Getty Images
3/10:50-over format
<p>Won by Sri Lanka a year ago over the T20 format, this year the Asia Cup reverts to 50 overs. </p>Getty Images
4/10:The format
<p>The top two teams from each group advance to the Super Four with the leading two in the standings contesting the final in Colombo on September 17. </p>Getty Images
5/10:India
<p>India have won more Asia Cup trophies than anyone and led by Rohit Sharma, enter the tournament as favourites as they go for an eighth title. </p>Getty Images
6/10:Pakistan
<p>Pakistan have been winners in 2000 and 2012 (both 50-over) and led by Babar Azam, will stage 4 matches with the remaining 9, including the final in Sri Lanka. </p>Getty Images
7/10:Sri Lanka
<p>Sri Lanka have won the trophy six times (across formats), but have been hit by injuries for this edition, in which they will be led by Dasun Shanaka. </p>Getty Images
8/10:Bangladesh
<p>Bangladesh have made it to three Asia Cup finals without winning and captain Tamim Iqbal has pulled out with a back injury and replaced by Shakib Al Hasan. </p>Getty Images
9/10:Afghanistan
<p>On their Asia Cup debut in 2014, Afghanistan won their second match against Bangladesh and now led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, can on their day pose a threat to the top teams. </p>AFP
10/10:Nepal
<p>Nepal reached the World Cup qualifiers earlier this year, but failed to qualify for the 50-over showpiece. Led by Rohit Paudel, Nepal are making their debut. </p>AFPPakistan, India and Nepal are in Group A while Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are in Group B. The tournament will follow a hybrid model with Pakistan hosting four matches across two venues and Sri Lanka hosting the remaining games.
The six group-stage matches will be followed by the Super Fours beginning September 6.
The final will be played by the top two teams at the end of the Super Fours on September 17 in Colombo.
India Squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.
