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Pick the Indian team for the Pakistan game

Last updated on: June 01, 2017 08:32 IST

Do you think India should play 5 bowlers for the Pakistan game?
Play Selector and pick the playing eleven.

Team India

IMAGE: Captain Virat Kohli with team mates. Photograph: BCCI

While the two convincing wins in the warm-up games has given India a big confidence boost, it has also left the team management grappling with the problem of plenty as they head into the ICC Champions Trophy.

India, the defending champions, open their campaign in the eight team tournament with a high-profile game against Pakistan on Sunday, June 4.

The encounter is a must-win-at-all-cost game for Indians fans and the team will no doubt be under severe pressure to emerge winners.

India will be keen to play its best eleven against the unpredictable Pakistanis, who despite their relative inexperience, are capable of upsetting the top teams.

India will be aware that Pakistan enjoys a superior record in the Champions Trophy, having won two out of the three games between the two sides.

With the batting and bowling in good shape, a major headache is the Indian team selection for the big game.

Dinesh Karthik made his case for a place in the middle order with a superb 94 from 77 balls in the second practice game against Bangladesh.

Will India play Karthik ahead of Yuvraj Singh who missed the warm-up games because of illness, but is expected to recover in time for the Pakistan clash.

Also, will Hardik Pandya make the cut after his blistering 80 from 54 balls against Bangladesh?

If Pandya is included, he could likely replace Kedar Jadhav.

Another major thinking point will be the composition of the Indian bowling attack for Sunday's game at Edgbaston.

With all four pacers -- Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhunveshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah -- faring well in the warm-up games, Captain Virat Kohli and Coach Anil Kumble will need to set their reported rift aside and make the difficult choice of picking either two or three of the quickies.

Coach and skipper will also need to decide if they will play two spinners or one -- Ravichandran Ashwin and/or Ravindra Jadeja.

Here's your chance to help the Indian team management with their selection for the Pakistan game.

Should India play five bowlers -- three pacers and two spinners?

Should Hardik Pandya play?

Play Selector and pick the Indian team for the Edgbaston game.

Please click the boxes below to select your Indian team.

Harish Kotian