India vs Pakistan Prediction: This bitter rivalry will have a new chapter in this year's world cup

India and Pakistan are going head to head in the 12th game of the ICC World Cup 2023 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India on 14th October. This bitter rivalry will have a new chapter in this year's world cup. Who will win this game?

India, a favorite from the outset, has made a strong start to their campaign. They clinched a hard-fought victory against Australia in the opening match and then convincingly defeated Afghanistan on Wednesday, making it two wins out of two.

However, facing arch-rivals in front of a packed home crowd introduces a different kind of pressure, one that the Men in Blue thrive on.

The Indian team has been missing their talismanic opener, Shubman Gill, due to a bout of dengue, and it's highly likely he will sit out Saturday's match. Gill, who scored a brisk half-century against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, will be sorely missed.

Despite Gill's absence, India boasts a wealth of batting firepower. Ishan Kishan, who has stepped in for Gill at the top of the order, has shown good form in recent months and will be eager to continue. Additionally, the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul are all in excellent form.

The middle-order concerns that initially plagued India seem to be fading, especially with Shreyas Iyer finding his form. The Ahmedabad pitch is expected to provide decent pace and bounce, which could favor players like Suryakumar Yadav.

As anticipated, Jasprit Bumrah has been the standout bowler for India, claiming 6 wickets in 2 games. While Mohammed Siraj and Hardik Pandya have been a bit expensive, they are likely to hit their stride soon.

The spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, have each taken 3 wickets and maintained decent economy rates.

Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Much like India, Pakistan has begun their World Cup campaign with two consecutive victories, aiming to deliver a strong performance. Nonetheless, Pakistan's track record against India in World Cup matches hasn't been particularly favorable, which could linger in the back of their minds.

In their recent victory over Sri Lanka, Pakistan completed a record run chase, which should significantly boost the team's confidence heading into this marquee event. What's even more encouraging for the team is that they managed to chase down a substantial target of 345 runs despite losing key batsmen, Imam Ul-Haq and Babar Azam, within the first 10 overs.

Youngster Abdullah Shafique, participating in only his 5th ODI, showcased his brilliance by scoring a century and forming a steadfast partnership with Mohammad Rizwan, who played a remarkable unbeaten knock of 131. Despite this victory, Pakistan needs to address several issues before the upcoming match.

Imam and Babar have struggled for form, and the middle order hasn't been consistent. Concerns also loom over the performance of some bowlers, especially Shaheen Shah Afridi, who hasn't enjoyed much success in the two matches.

Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali have combined to claim 11 wickets and will aim to make early inroads into the Indian batting lineup. Pakistan's spin attack is not considered top-tier.

Pakistan boasts a stronger batting lineup than some might anticipate, with significant depth. While their bowling attack might not be as incisive as desired, they have a proven ability to elevate their game and deliver impressive performances.

Entering a match against India as the underdog is not unexpected. This position could potentially grant Pakistan the freedom to play without fear and unleash their full potential. As one of the world's top teams, Pakistan should not be underestimated.

Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf

Since the stadium's renovation, teams batting first and second have experienced similar success. However, our prediction suggests that the winner of the coin toss will likely choose to bat first. Putting a substantial score on the board and creating pressure on the opposition appears to be the strategic approach. The stadium, which hosted the opening fixture of this tournament, witnessed over 550 runs scored, and another high-scoring match can be anticipated. In the early stages of the match, the seamers may find some movement, prompting batsmen to be cautious.

Nevertheless, once they navigate the initial phase and settle in, they can begin to unleash their shots. The team batting first will aim to set a target of at least 300 runs to exert pressure on their opponents.

The pitch exhibits some dryness, potentially offering spinners an advantage. Weather conditions will be warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from 30 to 35 degrees Celsius throughout the day. Dew might be a factor in the latter part of the match. Matches between India and Pakistan have often been one-sided, particularly in ODI cricket. Still, the prospect of witnessing an India vs. Pakistan clash in the World Cup, within the world's largest cricket stadium, featuring two top-ranked teams, is undeniably exciting.

India vs. Pakistan has always been one of the most eagerly anticipated rivalries in international cricket. Recent results, however, strongly favor the home team, and our expectation is for India to emerge victorious in this high-profile encounter.

Our prediction leans towards India winning this match.