'I never imagined I would be playing the Asia Cup': Shreyas Iyer's honest confession

The Indian cricket team under the leadership of Rohit Sharma is taking on Pakistan in their first match of the Asia Cup 2023 in Kandy. Till now both the teams have taken on each other on 13 occasions in the multination tournament, wherein, the Indian team has a slight edge by winning seven games. The rest six matches were won by the Pakistani team. The Indian team is also the most successful team in the Asia Cup (both ODI and T20I format). 

3 things you need to know 

• Team India is taking on Pakistan in an ODI match after four years 
• The last time both the teams faced each other in an ODI match was in the 2019 ODI World Cup 
• Team India has never lost an ODI match in Kandy 

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Shreyas Iyer's sincere confession ahead of the IND vs PAK

Indian cricket team batter Shreyas Iyer while speaking on Star Sports made an honest admission after his comeback in the Indian team. Iyer said that he never expected that he would play in the Asia Cup as his recovery was slow and steady. Shreyas further disclosed that he was able to pass the fitness test and went pain-free a week before his selection in the Indian team. Shreyas Iyer said: 

I never imagined I would be playing the Asia Cup because the way I was recovering as it was going slow and steady and the suddenly I was able to pass the test and was pain free a week before the selection. I was happy and couldn't digest the fact that I was selected. 

Shreyas Iyer will be playing his first international match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023. The Indian batter further stated that he was not able to sleep the whole night a day before the high-intensity match. Shreyas Iyer said: 

I was nervous last night, couldn't sleep. I am super excited to play this match against Pakistan. It's a phenomenal feeling to be honest as they are the number 1 team at the moment. 

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Will excluding Shami hurt Team India against Pakistan? 

The Indian cricket team won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in their opening match of the Asia Cup in Kandy. The Indian team management played with a combination of three seamers and two spinners, and Mohammed Shami was excluded from the team. Shardul Thakur was picked as the fourth seamer, who also contributes with the bat. However, the decision can hurt Team India as Shami led the Indian pacer attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and was in good form before being rested from the West Indies tour.